EWC Code
Alkaline batteries (except 16 06 03)
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 04EWC 16 06 04 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 04, 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 04. 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 04 depending on where the waste arises.
Dedicated waste-stream pages covering EWC 16 06 04 — pricing, buyer industries and valorisation routes.
Sectors that valorise EWC 16 06 04 as an input material or secondary raw material.
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