Samsung Electronics is reinforcing its commitment to minimizing the use of natural resources by expanding the integration of recycled materials in Galaxy devices, particularly cobalt, a critical element in battery production. Following the introduction of recycled cobalt in the Galaxy S24 series, Samsung is now advancing its sustainability efforts by recovering cobalt from used Galaxy device batteries and those discarded during manufacturing.
To facilitate this initiative, Samsung has established a Circular Battery Supply Chain in collaboration with environmentally conscious partners. This multi-step process extracts cobalt from previously used Galaxy batteries, repurposing it for the new Galaxy S25.
The process begins with the collection of old Galaxy smartphones, including those obtained through trade-in programs. The batteries are carefully disassembled, discharged, and processed to extract cobalt. The recovered material is converted into “black mass,” a substance containing cobalt and other metals. Further refinement isolates cobalt, which is then used to create cathode material, a crucial component in smartphone batteries. The final stage integrates the recycled cobalt into the battery production process, with the Galaxy S25 batteries incorporating 50% recycled cobalt.
Samsung plans to expand the use of recycled cobalt across its product ecosystem, accelerating the company’s drive toward greater sustainability and circular resource utilization.