What a tonne of LMO Pouch black mass contains
Black mass is the fine fraction left after cells are discharged, shredded and separated from casings, foils and plastics. For LMO / LMO-NMC Pouch, the cathode is lithium manganese oxide blend, which sets the metal profile before any processing choice is made.
The figures below are what our hydrometallurgical route recovers from typical LMO Pouch 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.
| Metal | kg per 100 kg black mass | kg per tonne | Role in value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lithium | 3 | 30 kg | Recovered as carbonate or hydroxide |
| Nickel | 6.4 | 64 kg | Minor contributor |
| Cobalt | 0.9 | 9 kg | Minor contributor |
| Manganese | 18.7 | 187 kg | Significant volume |
| Copper | 11.8 | 118 kg | Recovered early as foil |
Where the value actually sits
With 6.4 kg of nickel and 0.9 kg of cobalt per 100 kg, most of the payable value in LMO Pouch black mass comes from those two metals. Lithium adds a meaningful share, and copper foil recovered before shredding is close to exchange value.
On our current pricing model, black mass credit works out near USD 3.2 per kg of pack mass — roughly USD 26 per kWh of original capacity for a LMO Pouch pack weighing about 8.1 kg per kWh.
What erodes realised recovery
Manganese-rich black mass carries less nickel and cobalt, so realised value depends on lithium recovery, manganese handling and clean copper and aluminium separation.
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