The Climate Energy Environment Ministry announced that it will hold a briefing on May 19 at the LW Convention Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, to explain the operational plan for the 'Battery Recycled Material Production Certification System' and the proposed improvements to recycling standards.
In April, the National Assembly passed the 'Act on the Management and Industrial Promotion of Used Batteries,' paving the way for the certification system to be fully implemented starting in May 2027. Under this system, the Climate Ministry will certify the production of recycled materials, while the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy will verify the use of recycled materials in batteries.
To expand the scope of recyclable resources, the Climate Ministry plans to include not only waste batteries but also byproducts and defective products from manufacturing processes in the certification criteria. The ministry also aims to ensure the objectivity and credibility of the certification process through document reviews and on-site inspections.
A pilot project will begin in June to refine the certification methodology, with operational guidelines expected to be established by December to facilitate the early implementation of the system.
A key focus of the improvements will be strengthening the management system for black mass, an intermediate product made from crushing waste batteries and manufacturing scraps. Black mass contains high concentrations of valuable metals such as nickel, cobalt, and manganese.
Currently, black mass is recognized as a metal raw material rather than waste if it meets certain recycling standards. However, the growing demand for various raw materials due to the increased use of batteries in small electronic devices like laptops and smartphones has led to calls for system improvements.
The National Institute of Environmental Research has analyzed various black mass samples used by domestic recycling companies to assess the content of valuable metals and impurities, as well as quality control practices, and has developed improvement proposals based on these findings.
The proposals include changing the existing 'nickel content-focused' standard to a 'combined nickel and cobalt standard.' This change is expected to broaden the economic value recognition of various waste battery resources, including those from small electronic devices.
Additionally, a new 'fluoride item' will be introduced to indirectly verify the removal of unnecessary byproducts, such as binders and electrolytes, enhancing administrative transparency in the import and distribution processes of raw materials.
The Climate Ministry also plans to encourage the domestic priority use of black mass and allow essential processing steps such as sintering and drying to support stable raw material procurement and operational flexibility for recycling companies.
Industry experts anticipate that the certification system will play a positive role in enhancing the international competitiveness of domestic recycling companies, especially as the European Union's battery regulations come into effect. With the stability of the battery raw material supply chain emerging as a key factor in global industrial competitiveness, the expanded use of recycled materials is expected to contribute to the sustainability of South Korea's battery industry.
Kim Go-eung, Director of the Resource Circulation Bureau at the Climate Ministry, stated, "The recycled material certification system and the rationalization of recycling standards will help strengthen the critical mineral supply chain and promote the development of the recycling industry. We will continue to improve the system by reflecting the voices of companies engaged in the recycling of waste batteries."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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