A compact lithium battery recycling machine, able to process diverse formats, LFP, NMC, 18650, pouch and phone batteries, is the solution for operators with varied sources of used batteries and a volume that does not justify a complete industrial line. Shredding under N₂ protection, gravity separation and electrostatic separation produce black mass, copper and aluminum from a single controlled unit.
A versatile lithium battery recycling machine is the choice of WEEE dismantling workshops, collection centers with mixed volume and operators who want to enter the battery recycling market without a maximum initial investment. Safe, efficient and easy to operate. See the full range of recycling equipment and how it integrates into the flow.
Key Advantages of Compact Lithium Battery Recycling Equipment
• Processing of diverse formats, accepts LFP, NMC, 18650, 21700, pouch and phone batteries without major retooling.
• N₂ protection at the breach, nitrogen inerting at the first stage eliminates the fire risk of residual electrolytes, essential at any processing scale.
• Three valuable products, black mass, copper granules and aluminum granules from a single unit.
• Compact, simple installation, small footprint compared to a complete industrial line, suitable for medium-sized halls.
• Proportional investment, it pays off faster at small to medium volumes than an oversized industrial line.
• PLC control, automated flow, an alarm on anomalies, operation with reduced staff.
• Gas treatment, the gas scrubbing system ensures compliance with emission standards at the unit scale.
• Scalable, as volume grows, it becomes the first stage of a larger line.
Technical Specifications, Lithium Battery Recycling Machine
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Machine type | Lithium battery recycling machine, compact, diverse formats |
| Accepted formats | LFP, NMC, 18650/21700, pouch, phone/tablet batteries |
| Breach protection | Nitrogen (N₂) |
| Separation | Gravity + electrostatic |
| Recovered products | Black mass, copper granules, aluminum granules |
| Gas treatment | Integrated scrubbing system |
| Control | PLC, automatic alarm |
| Components | CE-marked where applicable |
| Capacity | Configurable per project |
Applications and Industries for Processing Diverse-Format Lithium Batteries
A compact lithium battery recycling machine serves WEEE dismantling workshops, collection centers with mixed battery sources and small recycling firms that want to recover used batteries on site rather than hand them over unsorted to wholesale collectors. At an electronics dismantling center, lithium batteries are a valuable fraction that deserves separate, controlled processing apart from the rest of the materials.
Used lithium-ion batteries are classified as regulated hazardous waste in Europe; a lithium battery recycling machine delivered in Europe is designed in accordance with the requirements of Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 on batteries. For complete integration into the WEEE recycling flow, see also the complete industry solutions.
The price difference between a lithium battery handed over unsorted as hazardous waste and the black mass sold to a hydrometallurgical refinery justifies the investment even at relatively small volumes. The cost of disposing of hazardous waste through third parties plus environmental penalties can quickly exceed the value of the equipment, especially as battery volumes grow with the adoption of electric vehicles.
Collected phone and tablet batteries have small formats, with pressurized electrolytes and a risk of swelling or ignition when damaged. A machine with N₂ at the breach is the safe and scalable solution for processing these small batteries in volume, avoiding the fire incidents that can occur during manual disassembly or unsafe storage.
Format versatility is a practical advantage at the level of daily operation: a collection center receives batteries from diverse sources and cannot pre-sort every batch. A machine configured for diverse processing reduces the pre-sorting cost and allows a simpler workflow, with fewer stops for reconfiguration between batches of different formats, which increases the actual throughput per shift.
The black mass produced is sold to the same buyers as the black mass from industrial lines: hydrometallurgical refineries, battery salt producers and critical metal recycling laboratories. Demand for local European black mass is growing steadily, as European refineries seek nearby feedstock sources.
Processable Battery Formats
A compact lithium battery recycling machine is configured for diverse formats. Batteries with a residual state of charge require a forced discharge stage before entering the machine.
| Battery format | Typical chemistry |
|---|---|
| Cylindrical 18650 / 21700 | NMC, NCA, LFP |
| Pouch (LiPo) | NMC, LiCoO₂, LFP |
| Phone/tablet batteries | LiCoO₂, NMC |
| Small prismatic cells | LFP, NMC |
How It Works
1. Discharged batteries or those with a low residual SoC are fed into the breach zone under N₂.
2. The shredder reduces the batteries to pieces a few centimeters in size; the nitrogen prevents ignition.
3. The material passes through thermal treatment or directly into the gravity separators.
4. The separators separate the black mass, the metal casings and the copper and aluminum fractions.
5. The final products, black mass, copper and aluminum, are collected separately in dedicated containers.
6. The gases are treated through the integrated scrubbing system before discharge.
The PLC system monitors the nitrogen pressure, the temperature and the status of each stage, signaling anomalies and stopping the line safely when needed. A well-operated machine produces black mass, copper and aluminum repeatedly, with constant quality per batch, regardless of the format of the battery processed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What lithium battery formats does it process?
It accepts cylindrical 18650 and 21700 batteries, pouch batteries, phone and tablet batteries and small prismatic cells, with LFP, NMC, NCA and LiCoO₂ chemistries. Batteries with a residual state of charge require a forced discharge stage before entry.
Why is nitrogen protection needed?
The electrolytes in lithium-ion batteries are flammable; during mechanical breaching, batteries with a residual state of charge can generate heat and flammable gases. Nitrogen inerts the breach zone, removing oxygen and neutralizing the fire or explosion risk, regardless of the state of charge.
Is it worth processing small phone batteries rather than handing them over as hazardous waste?
At sufficient volumes, yes. The cost of disposing of lithium batteries as hazardous waste through authorized operators, plus any environmental penalties, can quickly exceed the revenue from black mass. A machine with N₂ turns a compliance cost into a revenue stream, if you have a regular volume of small batteries.
Can it become the first stage of a larger line?
Yes. It is designed to be modular: as volume grows, you add a pyrolysis furnace, an additional electrostatic separator or an EV pack dismantling station. The initial investment integrates into the expanded configuration without complete replacement.
Why URSTAG?
URSTAG is a premium brand of recycling equipment, with over 15 years of experience. You don't just get a machine, you get a solution engineered by specialists, built from top-tier components and backed by a team that supports you from design through commissioning.
• European engineering, every machine and every complete line is designed by our engineering teams in Europe, with a focus on reliability, safety and energy efficiency.
• Premium components, we build on motors and automation from industry leaders: Siemens, Schneider Electric, ABB, WEG, SEW-Eurodrive, NORD Drivesystems and Bonfiglioli.
• Over 15 years of experience, we know how materials and machines behave in real-world operation, and we configure each solution for your flow and volume.
• New equipment, configured for you, we supply new units, made to order for your application, with complete technical documentation.
• Delivery, installation and training included, we handle transport, commissioning and operator training, with support throughout the equipment's life.
As a premium brand, URSTAG relies on European engineering, top-tier components and experience. You choose a partner that supports your production long term, with equipment built to run reliably in demanding industrial environments.
