EWC Code
Ni-Cd batteries
EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC — Official Journal L 226, 06/09/2000Annual Volume (EU)
~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 06 02*EWC 16 06 02* is a specific sub-code under EWC 16 06 — Batteries and accumulators. The classification guidance below applies to this waste stream.
EWC 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 02*, ranked by economic value and market depth.
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 02*. 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
Common materials that take EWC 16 06 02* depending on where the waste arises.
Dedicated waste-stream pages covering EWC 16 06 02* — pricing, buyer industries and valorisation routes.
Sectors that valorise EWC 16 06 02* as an input material or secondary raw material.
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