Black mass analysis and recycling

Chemical analysis Characterization of materials R&D support
More than 140 people
More than 140 people at your service
5200 m² laboratory
5200 m² laboratory + 99% of services are provided in-house

Are you looking to carry out black mass recycling and add value to your batteries?

What is black mass?

"Black mass" is the material obtained after recycling end-of-life lithium-ion electric batteries. It is a black powder produced after crushing and heating the cells that store electrons. This process aims to recover the precious metals and other valuable components contained in batteries, such as lithium, nickel, cobalt and manganese. Black mass is the result of the first stage of the recycling process, in which batteries are dismantled and the active electrochemical components are separated from the other materials.

The FILAB laboratory supports you in black mass analysis and recycling

Our analytical services for black mass

Elemental chemical characterization

Physical characterization 

Non-destructive testing :

  • Internal inspection of cells and modules without disassembly

Quality and regulatory support

Our technical capabilities for black mass analysis and recycling

ICP-AES

XRD

SEM-EDX

CLI

Mercury analyzer

C,H,O,N,S elemental analyzer

Laser particle size analysis

FAQ

Why carry out black mass analysis and recycling?

Black mass is now presented as the new virtuous black gold. Indeed, this black powder is made up of high-value metals, notably nickel, cobalt, manganese, copper, lithium and graphite. Once extracted and recovered, these metals can be analyzed and recycled to produce new batteries.

Battery recycling is a fundamental issue because it helps reduce the need to extract new raw materials, supporting the circular economy by turning waste into resources. It is also an essential step toward sustainable battery waste management and the promotion of environmentally responsible industrial practices.

Why analyze black mass?

Black mass analysis makes it possible to precisely determine its chemical and mineralogical composition in order to assess its recovery potential. This data is essential for choosing the most suitable recycling process, optimizing extraction yields, and estimating the economic value of the recoverable materials.

Which elements can be measured in black mass?

A laboratory can quantify the main strategic metals present in black mass, including:

  • lithium (Li),
  • cobalt (Co),
  • nickel (Ni),
  • manganese (Mn),
  • copper (Cu),
  • aluminum (Al),
  • iron (Fe),
  • phosphorus (P),
  • as well as graphite and other mineral impurities.
Why characterize the particle size distribution of black mass?

Particle size distribution directly affects the performance of separation, flotation, leaching, or hydrometallurgical extraction processes. A good understanding of particle size makes it possible to optimize recycling steps and improve recovery yields.

Which industries are black mass analysis intended for?

These analysis are intended for battery manufacturers, recyclers, black mass producers, circular economy stakeholders, companies specializing in the recovery of critical metals, as well as research centers and engineering firms developing new recovery pathways.

How do analysis help improve battery recycling?

A complete characterization of black mass makes it possible to adapt processing parameters, maximize critical metal recovery rates, reduce material losses, and improve the overall profitability of recycling processes.

Why choose the Filab laboratory to analyze black mass?

The Filab laboratory uses complementary analytical techniques to provide reliable and objective characterization of black mass. The results obtained help secure industrial decisions, optimize recycling processes, compare different batches or suppliers, and support R&D projects in the battery and circular economy sectors.

How can i get a quote from FILAB?

To get a quote, you can contact our teams via our contact form, by phone, or by email.
All you need to do is send us your requirements (material type, desired analysis, applicable standard, urgency, sample quantity, etc.). We will then send you a personalized technical and pricing proposal within 24-48 hours.

What is the typical turnaround time for analysis?

Lead times vary depending on the nature of the analysis and the complexity of the expert assessment project.
FILAB is nevertheless committed to providing fast turnaround times tailored to your constraints and industrial urgencies.

Why carry out black mass analysis and recycling?

The filab advantages
A highly qualified team
A highly qualified team
Responsiveness in responding to and processing requests
Responsiveness in responding to and processing requests
A COFRAC ISO 17025 accredited laboratory
A COFRAC ISO 17025 accredited laboratory
(Staves available on www.cofrac.com - Accreditation number: 1-1793)
A complete analytical facility of 5,200m²
A complete analytical facility of 5,200m²
Tailor-made support
Tailor-made support
Video debriefing available with the expert
Video debriefing available with the expert
Anaïs DECAUX Customer Support Manager
Ask for your quote