Samsung introduced that the Galaxy S25 telephones are taking one other step in the direction of decreasing electronics’ environmental impression. This collection incorporates 50% recycled cobalt sourced from beforehand used Galaxy batteries in its lithium-ion batteries, not like the Galaxy S24 which used materials bought from recycling corporations.
The corporate established a Round Battery Provide Chain that employs a multi-phase technique to extract cobalt from aged batteries to be used within the Galaxy S25 flagships.
The method begins by gathering Galaxy smartphones, both via trade-in applications or from these particular containers for batteries that some companies have. They’re shredded right into a so-called “black mass,” after which the cobalt is extracted for additional processing.
Following this, the fabric is utilized to create cathode parts, serving to enhance thermal stability and reduce the chance of overheating. The final step entails repacking the battery, with Samsung highlighting that cobalt constitutes 25% of the battery’s weight, which signifies that 12.5% of the complete cell is derived from recycled supplies.
Cobalt is important for smartphone batteries, but it has notable drawbacks, corresponding to excessive prices and shortage. Moreover, vital moral issues associated to mining practices come up. Fortuitously, Samsung has decreased its reliance on newly mined cobalt.