In January 2025, a client from France contacted us to initiate a lithium battery recycling project. We will present a true case study of lithium battery disposal in France, as a reference for companies that are interested in entering the renewable energy materials recycling sector in France and Europe.
What Are the EPR Compliance Policies for Lithium Battery Disposal in France?
According to France’s 2020 Anti-Waste and Circular Economy Act (Loi Anti-Gaspillage pour une Économie Circulaire) and the EU’s latest Regulation on Batteries and Waste Batteries (EU Regulation 2023/1542), battery manufacturers and importers must fulfill Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) to ensure the safe and environmentally sound recycling of end-of-life lithium batteries.
What are the core demands of clients regarding lithium battery disposal in France?
The client is a comprehensive waste recycling company in Eastern France, which specializes in the recycling and processing of new energy equipment and batteries. In response to the implementation of EU Regulation 2023/1542 and France’s Loi AGEC, customers have the following requirements for lithium battery disposal.
What is the layout of a 1t/h lithium battery recycling production line?
To help our French client recycle waste lithium batteries in compliance with EU regulations, we designed an automatic recycling line with an annual processing capacity of approximately 8,000 ton.
| Zone | Key Equipment | Floor Space (m²) | Personnel Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Förbehandling | Single‑shaft shredder, discharge system (saltwater or discharge equipment) | ~150 m² |
1 operator |
| Thermal treatment | Pyrolysis furnace, water-cooled conveyor screw | ~200 m² |
1 operator |
| Crushing & separation | Hammerkross, drum powder removal machine, magnetic separator | ~250 m² | 1–2 operators |
| Sortering & purification | Air separator, dust collector, avgasreningsenhet | ~200 m² |
1 operator |
Where to Sell Recycled Materials from Lithium Battery Disposal in France?
How Much Does a 1000kg/h Lithium Battery Disposal Line Cost in France?
För en standard 1000kg/h lithium battery disposal line, the pris för litiumbatteriåtervinningsmaskin typically ranges from $530,000 till $580,000, excluding civil works and infrastructure. This covers the core systems: shredding, pyrolysis, förkrossande, magnetic separation, air sorting, dust collection, and exhaust gas purification.
Discharge System
The discharge system is optional. There are two methods to choose from. One is saltwater discharge, which typically ranges from $12,000 till $18,000 depending on tank size and automation level. The other is professional lithium battery discharge machine, which is available from $30,000 till $40,000. The lithium battery discharge equipment offers faster processing, better temperature control, and reduced manual handling, making it more suitable for larger throughput or higher safety requirements.
Shredding And Crushing System
This includes the single-shaft shredder, hammer crusher, drum powder removal machine, magnetic separator, and air sorter. Pricing for this package typically ranges from $250,000 till $290,000, depending on configuration, material handling features, and control system integration.
To help clients estimate potential revenue, below is the current market reference price for the main recyclable output — black powder (cathode powder).
Since black powder contains valuable metals such as lithium, kobolt, and nickel, efficient recovery technology plays an important role in determining profits from recycling black mass from lithium battery materials.
| Material | Purity | Market Price (USD/ton) |
|---|---|---|
| Black Mass (containing Li, Co, Ni, Mn) | >98% |
$4,500 – $6,500 |
Note: Prices are for reference only and not a fixed quotation. Final pricing depends on metal content and market conditions at the time of sale.
How does the operation perform after production starts?
After system commissioning, continuous operation efficiency reached 92%, with carbon black purity exceeding 97%. The facility processes approximately 7,000 tons of waste batteries annually. The customer particularly emphasized the importance of after-sales service and praised the supplier for the remote technical support during the installation and commissioning period.
“This plant complies with EU EPR system requirements, operates stably with low noise, and it is easy to maintain. Through the smart data platform, we can monitor recovery rates and energy consumption in real time.”
