Black Mass
Black mass is a fine, powdery material recovered during the recycling of lithium-ion batteries. It is produced after end-of-life batteries are safely discharged, dismantled, and mechanically processed to separate external casings, current collectors, and other non-active components. What remains is a concentrated mixture of valuable metals commonly referred to as black mass.
Black mass contains critical battery materials such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, manganese, and graphite, which are essential for manufacturing new batteries, electric vehicles, and energy storage systems. Because these materials are finite and resource-intensive to mine, black mass has become a strategically important intermediate material in modern recycling and sustainable energy supply chains.
At Recyklr, black mass is handled under strictly controlled conditions to ensure safety, regulatory compliance, and maximum recovery efficiency. Our processes focus on maintaining material integrity and minimizing contamination, making the black mass suitable for downstream refining and metal recovery. This enables refiners and manufacturers to extract high-purity battery metals for reuse.
Recycling black mass significantly reduces environmental impact by lowering the need for fresh mining, conserving natural resources, and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions associated with primary metal production. It also prevents hazardous battery waste from entering landfills and ecosystems.
As the demand for electric mobility and renewable energy grows, black mass recycling plays a critical role in building a circular economy for batteries. Recyklr’s commitment to responsible black mass handling supports sustainable manufacturing, secure material supply chains, and the long-term transition to cleaner energy systems.
Specifications
Material Type: Recovered black mass from recycled lithium-ion batteries Form: Fine black powder Primary Components: Lithium, cobalt, nickel, manganese, graphite Metal Content: High concentration of recoverable battery metals Moisture Content: Low and controlled Impurities: Minimal non-battery materials; free from plastics, casings, and metals beyond acceptable limits Particle Size: Consistent and suitable for downstream refining processes Handling: Stored and transported in sealed, moisture-resistant packaging Condition: Processed, dry, and free-flowing powder Safety: Handled as per battery waste and hazardous material guidelines Application Compatibility: Suitable for hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical metal recovery processes
Benefits
High Recovery of Critical Metals Black mass contains valuable battery metals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese, enabling efficient recovery of materials essential for battery and energy storage manufacturing. Reduces Dependence on Mining Recycling black mass lowers the need for new mining activities, helping conserve natural resources and reduce environmental disruption. Supports Circular Economy for Batteries Recovered metals are reintroduced into the supply chain, promoting sustainable battery production and long-term material reuse. Lower Environmental Impact Black mass recycling reduces landfill waste and minimizes pollution caused by improper disposal of lithium-ion batteries. Energy and Cost Efficiency Recovering metals from black mass consumes significantly less energy than extracting them from virgin ores, resulting in cost and energy savings. Strategic Material Supply Provides a reliable source of critical materials needed for electric vehicles, electronics, and renewable energy systems. Safe Waste Management Ensures hazardous battery components are handled responsibly, improving environmental safety and regulatory compliance.