Why in News
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) prohibited black-mass exports to support domestic battery recycling and mineral recovery.
Prelims Pointers
Black mass is a powdery mixture of electrode materials from shredded spent lithium-ion batteries and manufacturing scrap.
Recoverable materials include lithium, nickel, manganese, cobalt and graphite, depending on battery chemistry.
Lithium-ion batteries contain cathodes, anodes and an electrolyte.
Common cathode chemistries include lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (NMC) and lithium iron phosphate (LFP).
Graphite is widely used as an anode material.
The electrolyte carries lithium ions between electrodes. The separator keeps electrodes apart while allowing ion movement.
Black-mass exports changed from Free to Prohibited until further orders, subject to Foreign Trade Policy, 2023 transitional provisions.
Urban mining recovers materials from discarded products and industrial waste.
The restriction supports the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM).
Prelims Traps
“Graphite is a usual battery cathode material.” This is incorrect. It is commonly used in anodes. (UPSC Prelims 2025)
“All lithium-ion cathodes require nickel and cobalt.” This is incorrect. LFP cathodes require neither.
“Black mass contains purified battery-grade metals.” This is incorrect. Its constituents require further separation and refining.