BYD Atto 3 battery recycling in Ulsan, South Korea
Ulsan — Korea Recovery Campus takes whole BYD Atto 3 packs straight from fleets, dealers and workshops. Packs are weighed, de-energised and logged here before modules move on for grading or refining.
Pack value at 80% SOH
1,938 USD
Hybrid Split
Second-life share
56%
At 80% SOH
Site capacity
34,000 TPA
Integrated Recovery Campus
Cities served
2
From Ulsan, South Korea
Where a BYD Atto 3 pack goes from Ulsan, South Korea
- 1
Intake at Ulsan, South Korea
One pack per UN-rated pallet box, strapped and restrained, with terminals capped and coolant ports sealed. Each pack is weighed, photographed and discharged below 30% state of charge.
- 2
Graded at Yokohama, Kanagawa
Modules travel 935 km to Yokohama — Kanagawa Diagnostics Works for capacity, resistance and impedance testing across all 1 modules.
- 3
Second life at Gothenburg, Sweden
At 80% SOH about 56% of the pack qualifies for reuse and goes to Gothenburg — Nordic Second-Life Campus (8,121 km). Excellent — long calendar life makes LFP the preferred feedstock for stationary BESS repurposing.
- 4
Refined at Ningde, Fujian
Remaining modules are shredded to black mass and refined at Ningde — Fujian Refining Base, 1,354 km away.
| Stage | Facility | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Nearest grading bench | Yokohama — Kanagawa Diagnostics Works | 935 km |
| Nearest second-life works | Gothenburg — Nordic Second-Life Campus | 8,121 km |
| Nearest refinery | Ningde — Fujian Refining Base | 1,354 km |
Inside the BYD Atto 3 battery
The BYD Atto 3 (2022) carries a 60.5 kWh LFP Prismatic (LiFePO4) pack with 1 modules at 400 V, weighing roughly 448 kg. Cobalt-free prismatic chemistry dominant in Indian passenger EVs and commercial fleets. Low black mass value, exceptional second-life economics.
| Service year | SOH | Grade | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 2 | 96.5% | A — BESS ready | USD 3,183 |
| Year 4 | 93.4% | A — BESS ready | USD 3,083 |
| Year 6 | 90.3% | A — BESS ready | USD 2,983 |
| Year 8 | 87.2% | A — BESS ready | USD 2,883 |
| Year 10 | 84.1% | B — Second life | USD 2,496 |
What the chemistry means here
How it ages
LFP fades slowly and fairly linearly for most of its life. Capacity loss is driven mainly by lithium inventory being locked up in the SEI layer on the graphite anode, while the cathode structure stays largely intact.
Thermal behaviour
LFP's olivine cathode holds its oxygen tightly, so thermal runaway typically starts at higher temperatures than nickel-rich cells and releases noticeably less heat. It is not inert: a failing LFP cell still vents flammable electrolyte vapour and hydrogen, and large prismatic cans store a lot of energy in one place.
Handling LFP Prismatic
Collecting a BYD Atto 3 pack
60.5 kWh, 1 modules, about 448 kg — this is how the Ulsan, South Korea team plans the job.
Removal
Packs are dropped on a vehicle lift using the OEM procedure and a rated battery table, then isolated at the service disconnect.
Packaging
One pack per UN-rated pallet box, strapped and restrained, with terminals capped and coolant ports sealed.
Consolidation
Dealer and workshop returns are consolidated into full truckloads, typically eight or more packs per run.
Before the truck arrives
- Pull the service disconnect and record pack voltage
- Drain or cap coolant lines before lifting
- Photograph the pack casing and any impact damage
- Keep the VIN and pack serial together on the manifest
Ulsan, South Korea site notes
- Manufacturers can arrange recurring scrap collections.
- Declare chemistry and format at booking.
- Large packs need advance notice.
- Damaged units require special handling.
What this pack yields
lithium
4.49 kg
nickel
0 kg
cobalt
0 kg
manganese
0 kg
copper
13.57 kg
aluminium
16.2 kg
Refining-route estimate at 80% SOH. Measured module health on the bench sets the final split.
Rules in South Korea
Act on Resource Circulation of Electrical and Electronic Equipment and Vehicles
Regulator: Ministry of Environment, with Korea Environment Corporation
The campus operates under Korean environmental permitting and national rules on waste and resource recycling, including producer responsibility schemes. Transport follows Korean dangerous goods regulations.
BYD Atto 3 in Ulsan, South Korea: common questions
Can I drop off a BYD Atto 3 battery at Ulsan, South Korea?
Yes, by appointment. Ulsan — Korea Recovery Campus accepts whole BYD Atto 3 packs; book a collection or a drop-off slot so the site can prepare packaging and paperwork.
What happens to BYD Atto 3 modules after Ulsan, South Korea?
Intake at Ulsan, South Korea, then Graded at Yokohama, Kanagawa, then Second life at Gothenburg, Sweden, then Refined at Ningde, Fujian. At 80% SOH roughly 56% of the pack goes to second life and the rest is refined.
How should a BYD Atto 3 pack be prepared for pickup?
Pull the service disconnect and record pack voltage. Drain or cap coolant lines before lifting. Photograph the pack casing and any impact damage. Keep the VIN and pack serial together on the manifest.
Which rules apply to BYD Atto 3 recycling in South Korea?
Act on Resource Circulation of Electrical and Electronic Equipment and Vehicles, overseen by Ministry of Environment, with Korea Environment Corporation. Transport follows national dangerous goods rules, with lithium-ion batteries packaged under UN 3480 / UN 3481.
Cities collected by Ulsan, South Korea
BYD Atto 3 at other sites
Retiring BYD Atto 3 packs near Ulsan, South Korea?
Share pack counts and condition. The despatch desk confirms a collection window within one working day and sends the right packaging.