The core set
A small set of well-defined KPIs gives a clearer picture than a long list of loosely defined ones. For most battery programmes, the core set covers how much was processed, how much was reused, how much of each material was recovered, how quickly batteries moved through the system and how safely.
Each KPI should have a written definition, a stated boundary and a data source. Without those, figures cannot be compared year to year or between organisations.
| KPI | Definition | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Tonnes processed | Mass of batteries received and processed in the period | Shows programme scale |
| Recovery rate per material | Recovered mass of each material divided by contained mass | Shows process effectiveness |
| Second-life share | Share of modules routed to reuse | Shows value captured before recycling |
| Average dwell time | Time from handover to processing | Shows logistics efficiency and safety exposure |
| Safety incidents | Recordable incidents per period | Shows operational safety |
Reporting recovery honestly
Recovery is easy to overstate. An aggregate figure based on total mass can look high because heavy casings and steel are easy to recover, while the harder materials such as lithium or graphite may be recovered at much lower rates. Reporting per material avoids this.
The EU Battery Regulation sets material recovery targets for lithium, cobalt, nickel, copper and lead, with calculation rules defined in secondary legislation. Aligning internal KPIs with those rules makes regulatory reporting and voluntary disclosure consistent.
- Report recovery separately for each target material
- State whether figures are measured or modelled
- Disclose the boundary and period covered
Using KPIs to improve
KPIs are most useful when they drive decisions. A rising dwell time points to collection or storage problems. A falling second-life share may indicate later retirement or poorer handling. Changes in recovery rates can highlight process or feed quality issues.
Reviewing KPIs quarterly with operations, compliance and commercial teams keeps them relevant. External assurance of key figures adds credibility when they are published.