Tesla Model Y (4680 Structural) battery recycling in Ningde, Fujian
Ningde, Fujian does not take whole packs. It receives black mass made from Tesla Model Y (4680 Structural) modules that failed grading, and turns it into battery-grade salts.
Pack value at 80% SOH
3,545 USD
Hybrid Split
Second-life share
47%
At 80% SOH
Site capacity
48,000 TPA
Hydrometallurgical Refinery
Cities served
4
From Ningde, Fujian
Where a Tesla Model Y (4680 Structural) pack goes from Ningde, Fujian
- 1
Collected via Ulsan, South Korea
Whole packs enter the network at Ulsan — Korea Recovery Campus, 1,354 km away, where they are weighed and de-energised.
- 2
Graded at Yokohama, Kanagawa
Modules travel 2,142 km to Yokohama — Kanagawa Diagnostics Works for capacity, resistance and impedance testing across all 3 modules.
- 3
Second life at Gothenburg, Sweden
At 80% SOH about 47% of the pack qualifies for reuse and goes to Gothenburg — Nordic Second-Life Campus (8,495 km). Moderate — structural pack bonding limits module harvesting; cell-level grading required.
- 4
Refining at Ningde, Fujian
Black mass from failed modules is leached and refined here into battery-grade nickel, cobalt and lithium salts.
| Stage | Facility | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Nearest intake yard | Ulsan — Korea Recovery Campus | 1,354 km |
| Nearest grading bench | Yokohama — Kanagawa Diagnostics Works | 2,142 km |
| Nearest second-life works | Gothenburg — Nordic Second-Life Campus | 8,495 km |
Faster option
Inside the Tesla Model Y (4680 Structural) battery
The Tesla Model Y (4680 Structural) (2022) carries a 82 kWh NMC 811 Cylindrical 4680 pack with 3 modules at 355 V, weighing roughly 418 kg. Structural tabless format requiring specialised disassembly cells. High nickel yields offset elevated processing cost.
| Service year | SOH | Grade | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 2 | 94.2% | A — BESS ready | USD 4,607 |
| Year 4 | 89.9% | A — BESS ready | USD 4,425 |
| Year 6 | 85.6% | A — BESS ready | USD 4,162 |
| Year 8 | 81.3% | B — Second life | USD 3,674 |
| Year 10 | 77% | B — Second life | USD 3,281 |
What the chemistry means here
How it ages
Fade mechanisms mirror other NMC 811 cells. The tabless design lowers internal resistance and heat generation, which can slow resistance growth relative to older cylindrical formats.
Thermal behaviour
4680 cells carry the same high-nickel chemistry as 2170s but in a larger can with more energy per cell, so a single failing cell releases more heat. Structural packs also make it harder to isolate an individual failing cell during handling.
Handling NMC 811 (4680)
Collecting a Tesla Model Y (4680 Structural) pack
82 kWh, 3 modules, about 418 kg — this is how the Ningde, Fujian 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
Ningde, Fujian site notes
- Only black mass and scrap are accepted.
- Import eligibility must be confirmed before shipment.
- Bulk bags must be sealed and labelled.
- Settlement follows assay at intake.
What this pack yields
lithium
4.49 kg
nickel
29.01 kg
cobalt
2.91 kg
manganese
3.03 kg
copper
12.26 kg
aluminium
14.08 kg
Refining-route estimate at 80% SOH. Measured module health on the bench sets the final split.
Rules in China
MIIT management measures for new energy vehicle power battery recycling
Regulator: Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT)
The base operates under Chinese environmental permitting and national rules for recycling new energy vehicle batteries, including traceability requirements. Imports are subject to Chinese customs controls and solid waste import restrictions.
Tesla Model Y (4680 Structural) in Ningde, Fujian: common questions
Can I drop off a Tesla Model Y (4680 Structural) battery at Ningde, Fujian?
Ningde, Fujian is a hydrometallurgical refinery and does not accept whole packs from customers. Book a collection and the pack enters the network at Ulsan, South Korea, 1,354 km away.
What happens to Tesla Model Y (4680 Structural) modules after Ningde, Fujian?
Collected via Ulsan, South Korea, then Graded at Yokohama, Kanagawa, then Second life at Gothenburg, Sweden, then Refining at Ningde, Fujian. At 80% SOH roughly 47% of the pack goes to second life and the rest is refined.
How should a Tesla Model Y (4680 Structural) 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 Tesla Model Y (4680 Structural) recycling in China?
MIIT management measures for new energy vehicle power battery recycling, overseen by Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). Road transport of retired power batteries follows national dangerous goods rules, with packaging and labelling set by national standards.
Cities collected by Ningde, Fujian
Tesla Model Y (4680 Structural) at other sites
Retiring Tesla Model Y (4680 Structural) packs near Ningde, Fujian?
Share pack counts and condition. The despatch desk confirms a collection window within one working day and sends the right packaging.