4.3 Physical Separation

Once the shreds have been dried, the mechanical sorting and separation process begins. This step focuses on systematically separating and removing all impurities from the cathode active materials. These impurities may include plastics, organics, stainless steel/steel, aluminum, copper, residual traces of WEEE (electronic waste), electrolyte solvents and salts, and possibly graphite.

Technologies that may be applied include sieves, air classification (zig-zag sifter), milling, magnetic separation, eddy current separation, density separation, filtration, and flotation.