Impact of automated battery sorting for mineral recovery from lithium-ion battery recycling in the United States

•Battery sorting can help maximize the concentration of cobalt-rich batteries in recycling feedstock. This can increase profitability for recyclers and drive investment in additional recycling capacity.•The greater availability of high cobalt batteries from consumer electronics between 2022 and 2030 before more nickel-rich EV batteries enter the recycling feedstock stream can represent a strong profit incentive for early recyclers.•The benefits of battery sorting for cobalt and nickel recovery rates can outweigh some variations in recycling plant operating costs or process yield.