EWC Code
Batteries and accumulators
EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC — Official Journal L 226, 06/09/2000Annual Volume
~750 kt/year EU lithium batteries by 2030 (BloombergNEF)
Valorisation Range
€200–2,500/tonne (EV black mass: Co/Ni/Li-bearing)
Primary Route
Hydrometallurgical Black Mass Recovery
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Get contacts for EWC 16 06EWC 16 06 covers all chemistries of waste batteries and accumulators at end-of-life — lead-acid (16 06 01*), NiCd (16 06 02*), lithium-ion (16 06 05 or 16 06 06), and alkaline/NiMH (16 06 03*). EU Battery Regulation 2023/1542 (in force from February 2024, replacing 2006/66/EC) sets new collection, recyclability, and minimum recycled-content targets that are reshaping the European battery recycling industry.
Lithium-ion battery black mass — the powdered active cathode and anode material recovered after discharge, casing removal and shredding — is the highest-value fraction. NMC (LiNiMnCoO₂) and NCA (LiNiCoAlO₂) black mass contains 5–20% Co, 10–25% Ni, 5–15% Li, and 10–20% Mn. Hydrometallurgical recovery (leach → solvent extraction → precipitation) achieves individual metal separation at >95% purity, producing battery-grade precursor materials.
Lead-acid batteries (16 06 01*) remain the most efficiently recycled chemistry globally — exceeding 95% collection and recycling rates in the EU. Secondary lead smelters recover >98% of lead content. However, lead-acid volume is declining as EV penetration reduces conventional starter battery demand.
Typical Generators
Established valorisation pathways for EWC 16 06, ranked by economic value and market depth. Hydrometallurgical Black Mass Recovery is the primary route.
Li-ion batteries discharged, shredded and separated. Black mass (NMC/NCA active materials) leached in H₂SO₄ or HCl, then Li, Co, Ni, Mn separated by solvent extraction (SX) and electrowinning. Output: battery-grade NiSO₄, CoSO₄, Li₂CO₃ pCAM precursors. Umicore, Fortum, Li-Cycle operate EU capacity.
Lead-acid batteries crushed in hammer mills; polypropylene case separated (recycled to PP resin); electrolyte neutralised; lead paste and grids smelted in reverberatory furnace at 1,100–1,200°C. >98% Pb recovery. Exide, Ecobat, Stibium operate dedicated EU secondary lead smelters.
EV battery packs with remaining capacity ≥80% SoH (state-of-health) repurposed for stationary storage applications — grid frequency regulation, solar PV self-consumption, off-grid UPS. Second-life extends asset value by 5–8 years before end-of-life recycling. Nissan Leaf, Renault Zoe packs are common second-life candidates.
These are the established routes for EWC 16 06. Which one your stream qualifies for depends on its composition, volume and region.
Get the ranked options for your streamPrimary & secondary off-takers
Battery manufacturers accepting returned end-of-life packs under EU EPR obligations; gigafactory recycled-content sourcing requirements from 2027
PGM and Li/Co/Ni hydrometallurgical smelters recovering critical minerals from battery black mass
Licensed collection of hazardous battery chemistries (NiCd 16 06 02*, Li-ion 16 06 05 where classified hazardous) before transfer to recyclers
Second-life battery systems for grid-scale energy storage and demand-side response
Source: NACE Rev.2 — Eurostat, 2008
Key legislative frameworks governing EWC 16 06 classification, transport, and treatment.
Replaces Batteries Directive 2006/66/EC. Sets collection targets (63% portable batteries by 2027, 73% by 2030; 51% LMT batteries by 2028). Mandates minimum recycled content in new batteries from 2031 (Ni 4%, Co 12%, Li 4% for EV batteries). Battery Passport (digital product identifier) required from 2027.
Li, Co, Ni, Mn, graphite designated Strategic Raw Materials under EU CRM Act. Battery recycling is a core domestic supply chain mechanism. Projects with demonstrated EU battery recycling output are eligible for Strategic Projects status and accelerated permitting.
Waste Li-ion batteries (UN 3480/3481) classified as Class 9 dangerous goods under ADR/IATA. Discharge requirement before transport (≤30% SoC). Damaged or defective Li-ion batteries require Type-approved fire-proof packaging. IATA restricts certain Li battery shipments on passenger aircraft.
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Sectors that valorise EWC 16 06 as an input material or secondary raw material.
Waste-stream pages and resources connected to EWC 16 06 valorisation.
Explore EU waste flows — Waste Atlas
Visualise 17 years of E-PRTR industrial facility data. See how EWC 16 06 and related waste streams flow across European industries and sectors.
Source: EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC · NACE Rev.2 — Eurostat 2008
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