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Data Brief · Chemistry & Materials

LFP Prismatic Recovery Rates Explained: What Comes Out of a Tonne of Black Mass

Metal by metal, what LFP Prismatic black mass yields on a hydrometallurgical route — and what erodes that yield.

ML

Marcus Lindqvist

Director of Hydrometallurgy

3 min read Updated 2026-01-13
Scientist using an ICP-OES instrument in a modern analytical laboratory

The short answer

LFP Prismatic (LiFePO4) black mass yields roughly 4.1 kg of lithium, 0 kg of nickel, 0 kg of cobalt and 12.4 kg of copper per 100 kg. Its value rests on lithium, copper and volume rather than nickel and cobalt.

On this page4 sections

Key takeaways

  1. 1A tonne of LFP Prismatic black mass carries about 41 kg of lithium and 124 kg of copper.
  2. 2Without nickel or cobalt, LFP value depends on lithium price and clean processing.
  3. 3Recovery rate should be quoted per metal, not as one aggregate mass figure.
  4. 4Contamination and moisture are the most common reasons realised value falls short of assay.
01

What a tonne of LFP Prismatic black mass contains

Black mass is the fine fraction left after cells are discharged, shredded and separated from casings, foils and plastics. For LFP Prismatic (LiFePO4), the cathode is lithium iron phosphate, which sets the metal profile before any processing choice is made.

The figures below are what our hydrometallurgical route recovers from typical LFP Prismatic feed. They vary with pack design, how much of the cell ends up in the fine fraction and how cleanly copper and aluminium were separated upstream.

Metalkg per 100 kg black masskg per tonneRole in value
Lithium4.141 kgRecovered as carbonate or hydroxide
Nickel00 kgMinor contributor
Cobalt00 kgMinor contributor
Manganese00 kgMinor contributor
Copper12.4124 kgRecovered early as foil
Indicative metal content recovered from LFP Prismatic black mass on our refining route.
02

Where the value actually sits

LFP black mass has no nickel or cobalt to pay for, so its value tracks lithium prices and the copper and aluminium recovered earlier in the line. When lithium prices fall, LFP recycling margins compress quickly, which is why collection efficiency and second-life routing matter so much for this chemistry.

On our current pricing model, black mass credit works out near USD 1.9 per kg of pack mass — roughly USD 14 per kWh of original capacity for a LFP Prismatic pack weighing about 7.4 kg per kWh.

03

What erodes realised recovery

Because LFP black mass carries iron and phosphate rather than nickel and cobalt, refiners watch iron and phosphorus closely — they dilute payable value and complicate lithium recovery.

Settlement is based on assay, so sampling method matters as much as the chemistry. A homogenised, properly split sample protects both sides of the contract.

  • Copper and aluminium carry-over from incomplete separation
  • Moisture above contract limits, which is deducted from payable weight
  • Fluoride from electrolyte salts that was not removed in pretreatment
  • Mixed chemistries in one lot, which dilutes the payable metals

Field note

Ask for recovery per metal against contained metal in the feed. A single aggregate recovery percentage can hide low lithium yields.
Questions

Frequently asked questions

How much lithium is in LFP Prismatic black mass?

Our route recovers roughly 4.1 kg of lithium per 100 kg of LFP Prismatic black mass, or about 41 kg per tonne. Actual content varies with pack design and pretreatment.

Is LFP Prismatic black mass valuable?

It is valuable, but less so than nickel-rich black mass. Value depends on lithium price, copper and aluminium recovery and low contamination.

Turn this into a plan for your packs

Send pack counts, chemistry and approximate state of health. You get an indicative value split, a slotted collection window and pre-filled dangerous goods paperwork.

Run the yield calculator
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