Tesla Model Y (4680 Structural) battery recycling in Rotterdam, South Holland
Rotterdam, South Holland 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
30,000 TPA
Hydrometallurgical Refinery
Cities served
2
From Rotterdam, South Holland
Where a Tesla Model Y (4680 Structural) pack goes from Rotterdam, South Holland
- 1
Collected via Dubai, UAE
Whole packs enter the network at Dubai — Jebel Ali Logistics Yard, 5,174 km away, where they are weighed and de-energised.
- 2
Graded at Birmingham, England
Modules travel 439 km to Birmingham — West Midlands Grading Works for capacity, resistance and impedance testing across all 3 modules.
- 3
Second life at Zwickau, Saxony
At 80% SOH about 47% of the pack qualifies for reuse and goes to Zwickau — Saxony Second-Life Works (572 km). Moderate — structural pack bonding limits module harvesting; cell-level grading required.
- 4
Refining at Rotterdam, South Holland
Black mass from failed modules is leached and refined here into battery-grade nickel, cobalt and lithium salts.
| Stage | Facility | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Nearest intake yard | Dubai — Jebel Ali Logistics Yard | 5,174 km |
| Nearest grading bench | Birmingham — West Midlands Grading Works | 439 km |
| Nearest second-life works | Zwickau — Saxony Second-Life Works | 572 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 Rotterdam, South Holland 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
Rotterdam, South Holland site notes
- Only black mass and cathode scrap are accepted.
- Cross-border shipments need prior notification where applicable.
- Bulk bags must be sealed and labelled.
- Sampling at intake determines settlement.
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 Netherlands
EU Battery Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 and the Dutch Environmental Management Act
Regulator: Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, with enforcement by ILT
The works operates under Dutch environmental permits and the EU Battery Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, including recycling efficiency and material recovery targets. Cross-border waste shipments follow the EU Waste Shipment Regulation and, where relevant, Basel Convention procedures.
Tesla Model Y (4680 Structural) in Rotterdam, South Holland: common questions
Can I drop off a Tesla Model Y (4680 Structural) battery at Rotterdam, South Holland?
Rotterdam, South Holland is a hydrometallurgical refinery and does not accept whole packs from customers. Book a collection and the pack enters the network at Dubai, UAE, 5,174 km away.
What happens to Tesla Model Y (4680 Structural) modules after Rotterdam, South Holland?
Collected via Dubai, UAE, then Graded at Birmingham, England, then Second life at Zwickau, Saxony, then Refining at Rotterdam, South Holland. 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 Netherlands?
EU Battery Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 and the Dutch Environmental Management Act, overseen by Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, with enforcement by ILT. Road transport follows ADR and sea transport follows the IMDG Code, with frequent transhipment through Rotterdam.
Cities collected by Rotterdam, South Holland
Tesla Model Y (4680 Structural) at other sites
Other passenger packs at Rotterdam, South Holland
Retiring Tesla Model Y (4680 Structural) packs near Rotterdam, South Holland?
Share pack counts and condition. The despatch desk confirms a collection window within one working day and sends the right packaging.