Samsung Named Finalist at Reuters Sustainability Awards for Circular Battery Supply Chain
Recognized for driving innovation in closed-loop battery recycling, powering Galaxy S25 with recovered cobalt
SEOUL, Korea – Oct. 29, 2025 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today announced that it has been named a finalist in the 2025 Reuters Global Sustainability Awards for Circularity. The recognition highlights Samsung’s Circular Battery Supply Chain, which powers Samsung’s Galaxy S25 with recovered cobalt1 and exemplifies our commitment to advancing circular material innovation.
Samsung’s Circular Battery Supply Chain introduced a new process to source cobalt, a critical material for lithium-ion batteries, from previously used Galaxy devices and from batteries discarded during the manufacturing process.2 With this circular model, Samsung gave discarded cobalt a second life in its Galaxy S25, addressing environmental and supply chain challenges traditionally associated with cobalt’s sourcing.
“This distinction shows how recycled materials are powering the devices people use every day,” said Daniel Araujo, VP and Head of the Sustainability Management Office, Mobile eXperience (MX) Business at Samsung Electronics. “Our Circular Battery Supply Chain demonstrates how innovation and open collaboration with like-minded partners can drive resilience in critical supply chains while reducing environmental impact.”
Samsung achieves a recovery rate of over 90 percent, producing cobalt hydroxide with a purity level nearly comparable to newly mined sources. It also helps to significantly reduce the environmental impact of mining, while ensuring that batteries made with the recycled cobalt continue to deliver performance and reliability.
Samsung’s cobalt recycling process has been independently validated by UL Solutions, a global certification company, verifying the use of recycled content in Galaxy S25 batteries and reinforcing the company’s commitment to innovation and sustainability.
Aligned with Samsung’s sustainability platform, Galaxy for the Planet, Galaxy S25 underscores Samsung’s broader efforts to expand circular battery practices across its product portfolio. Galaxy S25 incorporates recycled materials into every external component3 and features packaging made entirely from recycled paper, eliminating single-use plastics.
Additionally, Samsung continues to expand its circularity efforts by repurposing plastics from discarded semiconductor wafer trays for Galaxy components, while the Self-Repair program empowers consumers to extend the lifespan of their devices, helping to reduce e-waste.
The Reuters Global Sustainability Awards are among the world’s leading programs that celebrate leadership in sustainable business. Now in their 15th year, the awards have become a benchmark for companies worldwide that are driving measurable progress in sustainability. Reuters received more than 750 submissions across all award categories this year.
1 Uses a minimum of 50% recycled cobalt for batteries – a minimum of 25% of the Galaxy S25 battery is cobalt by weight, 50% of which is recycled cobalt.
2 Inclusion may differ by markets.
3 Every external component of Galaxy S25 including Front Screen, Back Glass Assembly, Metal Frame (Case Front), Side Key, Volume Key, and SIM Tray contains at least one recycled material.
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