Process and device for producing copper composite material

A process for preparing a copper composite material comprising

• a) providing a lithium ion battery recycling material comprising a copper foil having graphite coated on the surface of the copper foil:
• b) heating the lithium ion battery recycling material to a temperature of from 400° C. to 630° C. while contacting the lithium ion battery recycling material with an inert gas and with a reductive gas generated in situ by thermal decomposition of the lithium ion battery recycling material to obtain a pyrolyzed lithium ion battery recycling material:
• c) comminuting the lithium ion battery recycling material prior to step b) and/or comminuting the pyrolyzed lithium ion battery recycling material subsequent to step b) to produce a fine fraction consisting of particles having a particle size less than 500 μm;
• and
• d) separating the copper composite material from the comminuted and pyrolyzed lithium ion battery recycling material fine fraction consisting of particles having a particle size less than 500 μm.