When a lithium-ion battery is recycled, it is usually discharged and crushed. Materials are recovered by mechanical crushing and exploiting physical properties of different components. The remaining materials are called “black mass”, which is composed of nickel, cobalt, lithium and manganese.
Black mass contains all the valuable metals that make up battery anodes and cathodes. The composition of black mass can vary significantly based on the type of lithium-ion battery. For example, lithium cobalt oxide (LCO) batteries primarily contain cobalt, whereas lithium-nickel-cobalt-aluminium oxides (NCA) batteries contain higher proportions of nickel and aluminium.
The black mass recovery process is a critical component of the battery recycling industry, turning waste into valuable resources. With ongoing advancements and innovations, this process promises to become even more efficient and environmentally friendly in the future, playing a crucial role in our journey towards a more sustainable world.