| Battery name | LCO(LiCoO2) |
| composition | CO:18.0-22.0, NI:5.0-7.0, LI:2.0-4.0, O2:14.0-18.0, MN:8.0-10.0 |
| Volt (V) | 3.6-4.2 |
| Energies Density (w/kg) | 50 |
| Power Density( w/kg) | Medium |
| Capacity (mah) | 1500-3000 |
| Life cycles | 250-500 |
| Thermal Stability | Poor |
| Key element | Lthium cobalt oxygen |
| Application | Mobile phone, laptops,cameras |
Lithium Cobalt Oxide is commonly used as the positive electrode (cathode) in lithium-ion batteries. These batteries contain valuable minerals such as lithium and cobalt and can be recycled. The cathode is lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO₂), and the anode is generally graphite (carbon) in these types of batteries. During charging in a cathode, lithium ions are oxidized and release electrons, and become Li+. The Li⁺ ions then travel through the electrolyte (conductive medium) to the anode and form a structure LixC₆. When the battery is in use, the Li is oxidized again and becomes Li⁺, which then moves through the electrolyte to the cathode, forming LiCoO₂.
LiCoO₂ batteries are ideally preferred for portable electronic devices due to their lightweight nature. These batteries generally take 2-3 hours to fully charge. However, with advanced technologies, some batteries can be charged within 30 minutes. Below are a few real-life applications of lithium cobalt oxide batteries:
LiCoO₂ batteries are small and lightweight, which makes them ideal for devices like smartphones, laptops, tablets, etc. These batteries store a lot of energy compared to their weight and supply a stable voltage while discharging. It is very essential for electronic devices to work smoothly without sudden drops in power. With proper handling, these batteries can be used a few hundred times.
For LiCoO₂ batteries, overheating can trigger thermal runaway—a chain reaction where internal heat builds faster than it can be released. Overcharging, short-circuiting, or physical damage to these batteries may cause localized heating, increasing the chance of thermal instability. At high temperatures, the LiCoO₂ cathode can release oxygen, helping with combustion, which increases fire or explosion risks. Using these batteries in compact or sealed environments causes inadequate heat dissipation, which amplifies the danger of internal pressure build-up. It is recommended to use fire-retardant enclosures or integrate automatic fire suppression systems in high-density applications. Utilizing a reliable Battery Management System (BMS) can help detect abnormal temperature rise, voltage fluctuations, etc.
Advanced mechanical and hydrometallurgical process implementation enabling demanufacturing
from waste batteries to battery-grade material
Battery Sorting
Battery Sorting
We accumulate Lithium-ion batteries from various sources and categorize them based on chemical properties (e.g., NMC, LFP, LCO, etc.), size, form factor (pouch, cylindrical, prismatic), and state of health. Sorting out these batteries helps us to carry uniform feedstock for downstream processes and safety during handling.
Battery dismantling
Battery dismantling
The process involves both mechanical and manual methods to dismantle battery packs/modules into cells. The components like aluminum/copper foils, plastic casing, and electronics (BMS) are separated. It is a critical step for isolating the electrochemical cells from structural and electronic components.
Battery discharging
Battery discharging
In this process, the residual charge in cells is neutralized using controlled discharging protocols or chemical methods. It is essential to prevent short circuits, thermal runaway, or fire hazards during processing.
Mechanical extraction
Mechanical extraction
During the mechanical extraction, battery cells go through shredding, crushing, and sieving in an inert or controlled environment to prevent thermal incidents. The process separates materials into:
Black Mass leaching(Hydrometallurgy)
Black Mass leaching(Hydrometallurgy)
The black mass leaching is a hydrometallurgical process that involves extracting valuable metals like lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese compounds. The process involves dissolving the black in an aqueous solution, commonly using sulfuric acid or hydrochloric acid.
With cutting-edge facilities and industrial-scale, low-CO2 processes, we extract a higher yield and purity from the end-of-life batteries and recover valuable materials.
Black mass is a term used to describe the concentrated powdery substance obtained by recycling scrap batteries, particularly lithium-ion batteries. It contains valuable metals like lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese, which are critical for producing new batteries and other electronic components. Extracting black mass is an eco-friendly solution to address the growing problem of e-waste while reducing the need for mining raw materials. This process not only helps conserve natural resources but also supports a circular economy by enabling the reuse of finite materials.
Mixed Hydroxide Precipitate (MHP) is an intermediate compound rich in nickel. It is produced through the hydrometallurgical processing of laterite ores. MHP is obtained by precipitating nickel using chemical agents under specific conditions, such as temperature, pH, concentration, and reaction time. MHP typically contains both nickel and cobalt and serves as a precursor material for battery-grade cathode synthesis. It has higher specific capacity and longer cycling stability, and is widely used in lithium-ion batteries like NMC111.
Lithium is a fundamental element in lithium-ion batteries, which power everything from electric vehicles (EVs) to portable electronics. As the world shifts toward clean energy solutions, the demand for lithium has surged. Recycling lithium from used batteries helps conserve natural resources, reduces the environmental impact of mining, and ensures a more sustainable supply of this critical metal for future battery technologies. Efficient recycling methods also help mitigate the risks of lithium shortages in the face of growing global demand.
Cobalt is an essential metal for increasing the energy density and longevity of lithium-ion batteries. It is primarily used in cathodes to enhance battery performance, particularly in EVs and renewable energy storage systems. However, cobalt mining has raised ethical and environmental concerns due to its extraction in conflict zones and its energy-intensive mining process. Recycling cobalt from spent batteries can address these issues by reducing reliance on newly mined cobalt, promoting sustainable practices, and lowering the environmental footprint of battery production.
Nickel is widely used in battery cathodes to improve energy storage capacity and extend battery life, particularly in high-performance electric vehicles. Nickel-rich batteries are gaining popularity for their efficiency in storing and delivering power. Recycling nickel is critical to reducing the environmental toll of mining, which can be energy-intensive and harmful to ecosystems. Reusing nickel in the battery supply chain helps mitigate resource depletion, lowers carbon emissions, and ensures that nickel is available for future advancements in clean energy storage solutions.
Manganese is crucial in stabilizing the structure of battery cathodes and optimizing battery life. It plays a key role in the performance of lithium-ion batteries, particularly in medium- and high-power applications like EVs. As demand for such batteries increases, recycling manganese helps reduce the need for new mining operations, which often have negative environmental and social impacts. By recovering manganese from used batteries, we can lower the ecological cost of battery production while supporting the transition to renewable energy.
Graphite is a vital component in the anodes of lithium-ion batteries, where it stores and releases electrical energy during charge and discharge cycles. The growing demand for electric vehicles and energy storage solutions has increased the need for high-quality graphite. Since the extraction and processing of natural graphite can be environmentally taxing, recycling graphite from spent batteries reduces the need for mining and supports a circular economy. Recycled graphite can be reused in new batteries, cutting down on waste and lowering the carbon footprint associated with battery production.
Copper is a key conductor in battery systems, facilitating the efficient transfer of electricity between cells and components. Copper is used extensively in battery wiring, connectors, and current collectors. As the demand for EVs and renewable energy storage solutions rises, recycling copper is essential for reducing mining waste and energy use. Copper recycling not only conserves natural resources but also helps lower the environmental impact of producing new copper, ensuring a sustainable supply for future energy storage technologies.
Aluminium is used in battery casings, current collectors, and other components due to its lightweight and corrosion-resistant properties. In addition to its structural role, aluminium also helps improve the safety and efficiency of battery systems. Recycling aluminium is highly energy-efficient compared to primary production, significantly lowering its environmental impact. By recovering and reusing aluminium from old batteries, we reduce energy consumption and conserve valuable resources, while supporting the circular economy in the growing battery industry.
With cutting-edge facilities and industrial-scale, low-CO2 processes, we extract a higher yield and purity from the end-of-life batteries and recover valuable materials.
Black mass is a term used to describe the concentrated powdery substance obtained by recycling scrap batteries, particularly lithium-ion batteries. It contains valuable metals like lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese, which are critical for producing new batteries and other electronic components. Extracting black mass is an eco-friendly solution to address the growing problem of e-waste while reducing the need for mining raw materials. This process not only helps conserve natural resources but also supports a circular economy by enabling the reuse of finite materials.
Mixed Hydroxide Precipitate (MHP) is an intermediate compound rich in nickel. It is produced through the hydrometallurgical processing of laterite ores. MHP is obtained by precipitating nickel using chemical agents under specific conditions, such as temperature, pH, concentration, and reaction time. MHP typically contains both nickel and cobalt and serves as a precursor material for battery-grade cathode synthesis. It has higher specific capacity and longer cycling stability, and is widely used in lithium-ion batteries like NMC111.
Lithium is a fundamental element in lithium-ion batteries, which power everything from electric vehicles (EVs) to portable electronics. As the world shifts toward clean energy solutions, the demand for lithium has surged. Recycling lithium from used batteries helps conserve natural resources, reduces the environmental impact of mining, and ensures a more sustainable supply of this critical metal for future battery technologies. Efficient recycling methods also help mitigate the risks of lithium shortages in the face of growing global demand.
Cobalt is an essential metal for increasing the energy density and longevity of lithium-ion batteries. It is primarily used in cathodes to enhance battery performance, particularly in EVs and renewable energy storage systems. However, cobalt mining has raised ethical and environmental concerns due to its extraction in conflict zones and its energy-intensive mining process. Recycling cobalt from spent batteries can address these issues by reducing reliance on newly mined cobalt, promoting sustainable practices, and lowering the environmental footprint of battery production.
Nickel is widely used in battery cathodes to improve energy storage capacity and extend battery life, particularly in high-performance electric vehicles. Nickel-rich batteries are gaining popularity for their efficiency in storing and delivering power. Recycling nickel is critical to reducing the environmental toll of mining, which can be energy-intensive and harmful to ecosystems. Reusing nickel in the battery supply chain helps mitigate resource depletion, lowers carbon emissions, and ensures that nickel is available for future advancements in clean energy storage solutions.
Manganese is crucial in stabilizing the structure of battery cathodes and optimizing battery life. It plays a key role in the performance of lithium-ion batteries, particularly in medium- and high-power applications like EVs. As demand for such batteries increases, recycling manganese helps reduce the need for new mining operations, which often have negative environmental and social impacts. By recovering manganese from used batteries, we can lower the ecological cost of battery production while supporting the transition to renewable energy.
Graphite is a vital component in the anodes of lithium-ion batteries, where it stores and releases electrical energy during charge and discharge cycles. The growing demand for electric vehicles and energy storage solutions has increased the need for high-quality graphite. Since the extraction and processing of natural graphite can be environmentally taxing, recycling graphite from spent batteries reduces the need for mining and supports a circular economy. Recycled graphite can be reused in new batteries, cutting down on waste and lowering the carbon footprint associated with battery production.
Copper is a key conductor in battery systems, facilitating the efficient transfer of electricity between cells and components. Copper is used extensively in battery wiring, connectors, and current collectors. As the demand for EVs and renewable energy storage solutions rises, recycling copper is essential for reducing mining waste and energy use. Copper recycling not only conserves natural resources but also helps lower the environmental impact of producing new copper, ensuring a sustainable supply for future energy storage technologies.
Aluminium is used in battery casings, current collectors, and other components due to its lightweight and corrosion-resistant properties. In addition to its structural role, aluminium also helps improve the safety and efficiency of battery systems. Recycling aluminium is highly energy-efficient compared to primary production, significantly lowering its environmental impact. By recovering and reusing aluminium from old batteries, we reduce energy consumption and conserve valuable resources, while supporting the circular economy in the growing battery industry.
Transitioning to a sustainable future requires the responsible use of our valuable and finite resources.
Through our focus on battery recycling, we aim to minimize environmental impact and foster a sustainable future, keeping our people and planet in mind. This approach allows us to keep the well-being of both nature and communities at the forefront of our operations.
Through our efforts, we seek to drive meaningful change and create a world where future generations can thrive in harmony with their environment. It all starts with Nav Prakriti.
Be a part of a young, innovative team that’s making an impact, coming together to create a sustainable world.
Join Now
Giving a new life to end-of-life lithium-ion batteries, Nav Prakriti fosters a culture of responsibility, ensuring a green and sustainable future for generations ahead.
© 2025 Nav Prakriti. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms And Conditions
Design & Developed by : PromotEdge
.png){kind=small}
.png){kind=small}
