AREBAM: Rethinking Black Mass Recycling

How can critical battery raw materials be recovered efficiently and sustainably?
Our answer: AREBAM – a newly developed process that exemplifies technological innovation at H.C. Starck Tungsten.

AREBAM (Adaptive process for the REcycling of economically strategic BAttery Materials) represents an innovative approach to handling so-called black mass – the active material extracted from used lithium-ion batteries.

With this patented process (several patents pending), we actively contribute to the development of a circular economy for batteries. It’s no coincidence that the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and the State of Lower Saxony are supporting the realization of this project with around €60 million.

Three key technological innovations make AREBAM particularly effective:

• “Lithium-first” approach: Lithium is selectively extracted in an early process step. This increases the recovery rate to up to 95% and significantly reduces the need for soda.
• Column technology: Instead of conventional mixer-settlers, a specially developed column system is used. It reduces energy consumption by around 80% and increases space-time yield by a factor of five.
• Closed material cycles: Process chemicals such as sulfuric acid and caustic soda are recycled internally. As a result, the consumption of fresh chemicals is significantly reduced – by up to 90% for bases and 50% for acids.

The result: An industrially scalable process with high yields of lithium, nickel, cobalt, and manganese – and up to 90% lower CO₂ emissions compared to the primary extraction of these raw materials.