Cosmo Chemical Signed Battery Recycling Agreement
The deal establishes a closed-loop supply chain for recycled battery materials between Europe and South Korea.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Chemistry
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Cosmo Chemical has entered into a battery recycling tolling agreement with FINO. The partnership focuses on processing European pre-treated battery black mass to recover critical minerals.
Why it matters
This agreement aims to strengthen the international flow of recycled battery materials. By linking European recycling with refining capabilities, the deal seeks to increase the use of recovered cobalt and nickel in the global battery supply chain.
Cosmo Chemical utilizes hydrometallurgical technology to extract cobalt sulfate, nickel sulfate, and lithium carbonate from imported pre-treated black mass. These recovered materials serve as feedstock for precursor and cathode production.
The players
Cosmo Chemical
A South Korean company that utilizes hydrometallurgical technology to process battery black mass and produce critical materials.
FINO
A company involved in battery material production with key shareholders including CNGR and Samsung SDI.
CNGR
A major shareholder of FINO that operates within the global battery precursor supply chain.
Samsung SDI
A significant shareholder of FINO and a major manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries.
The details
The partnership creates a closed-loop system where recovered minerals are funneled directly into the production of cathode materials. FINO, which counts CNGR and Samsung SDI among its shareholders, will receive these materials to support their ongoing manufacturing operations.
Timeline
September 18, 2026: Cosmo Chemical and FINO finalized the recycling agreement.
The Big Picture
This deal marks a shift toward a circular battery economy through closed-loop recycling. It represents an evolution in how firms source raw materials by prioritizing recovered minerals over virgin mining, a paradigm shift for the global battery supply chain.
The increased integration of recycled cobalt and nickel could eventually lower the cost of manufacturing for consumer electronics and electric vehicle batteries. Improved recovery efficiency helps sustain the long-term viability of high-capacity battery production for future tech.
The takeaway
This partnership highlights the growing importance of international cooperation in reclaiming industrial waste for use in high-tech manufacturing. Readers can expect more firms to adopt similar closed-loop models as regulations regarding material sourcing and sustainability continue to tighten.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest innovations in Chemistry and their industrial applications.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Metal.
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