Most battery recyclers stop at black mass. At Green Li-ion, we go further.
Our patented system transforms black mass — the shredded remains of lithium-ion batteries — into 99% pure precursor cathode active material (pCAM). And we do it without third-party refiners, without long lead times, and without massive infrastructure.
In this article, we’ll walk through how Green Li-ion’s technology converts battery waste into battery-grade material — fast, efficiently, and on-site.
What Is Black Mass?
Black mass is the dark, powdery substance left over when lithium-ion batteries are shredded for recycling. It typically contains:
- Lithium
- Cobalt
- Nickel
- Manganese
- Graphite
These are all critical materials needed for new battery production — but in raw black mass form, they’re not usable. They need to be refined back into pure compounds like pCAM before they can re-enter the supply chain.
Learn more: What is black mass?
The Green Li-ion Difference
Traditional recyclers sell black mass to third-party processors — often overseas — for final recovery. This adds time, emissions, and supply chain complexity. Green Li-ion eliminates those steps.
Our closed-loop system processes unsorted black mass directly into battery-grade pCAM, ready for cathode production. Here's how:
Step 1: Intake and Pre-Treatment
Our modular system accepts unsorted black mass from various battery chemistries — no need to pre-classify materials like NMC vs. LFP.
After initial filtering and neutralization, the input is conditioned for co-precipitation and selective separation.
Step 2: Co-Precipitation and Separation
Through a controlled chemical process, we extract and purify key metals, isolating nickel, cobalt, manganese, and lithium.
Advanced sensors and automation maintain chemical balance and minimize waste, allowing us to maximize recovery with high consistency.
Step 3: Synthesis of pCAM
Once the metals are separated, they’re recombined in precise ratios to create precursor cathode active material (pCAM) — a high-value input for battery manufacturing.
Our system produces pCAM with 99%+ purity, meeting the specifications required by battery cell producers and cathode manufacturers.
Step 4: Output and Reuse
The output is battery-ready pCAM, which can be shipped directly to manufacturers or integrated into localized supply chains.
Because our system is modular and closed-loop, residual liquids and solids are neutralized and recycled within the process — minimizing waste and lowering environmental impact.
Explore our modular technology
Why This Matters
Converting black mass to pCAM directly on-site offers major benefits:
- Faster turnaround — no waiting for external refiners
- Cost savings — more value stays in-house
- Cleaner operations — up to 78% lower emissions than traditional hydrometallurgy
- Scalability — modular units allow for rapid growth with demand
Whether you're a recycler, battery manufacturer, or investor, the ability to turn battery waste into near-immediate feedstock offers a clear competitive advantage.
Where We’re Doing It Now
Green Li-ion’s systems are already operational in multiple countries, with new deployments planned across Asia, North America, and Europe.
From urban collection centers to large-scale gigafactory partners, our tech is proving that black mass is not the end of the battery — it’s the beginning of a new cycle.
Conclusion: Real Circularity Starts with High-Purity Output
Green Li-ion is the only modular platform that delivers 99% pure pCAM directly from black mass — with no delays, no third parties, and no compromises.
If you're ready to add closed-loop recovery to your operations, contact our team to learn more.
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