Lithium Universe Ltd (ASX:LU7, OTC:LUVSF) has announced strong laboratory-scale results from its Jet Electrochemical Silver Extraction (JESE) technology, developed in collaboration with Macquarie University, demonstrating rapid and highly efficient recovery of silver from discarded solar panels.
The company said the trials validated JESE’s ability to recover more than 95% of silver under mild conditions, while preserving the integrity of silicon wafers — a breakthrough that could transform the economics of solar panel recycling.
“To achieve more than 90% recovery in just seven minutes is extraordinary, and doing so while preserving silicon wafers changes the game for recycling economics,” executive chairman Iggy Tan said. “This technology offers both efficiency and sustainability, supporting LU7’s strategy of turning solar waste into a valuable resource stream.”
Fast, selective recovery
The test program, conducted by Macquarie University’s engineering team, confirmed that JESE can recover silver with speed and precision.
- In just seven minutes, 90.2% of silver was successfully extracted at only 5 volts using dilute nitric acid.
- Extending treatment to 30 minutes pushed recovery rates beyond 95%.
- Redeployment of silver through electrochemical deposition achieved over 90% efficiency, producing usable metallic silver.
Optical images of SSCs and SEM-EDS elemental maps of the Ag pads after treatments under varying conditions - Silver (green) eroding.
In stark contrast, conventional methods that rely on concentrated nitric acid or cyanides can take up to 48 hours, consume large volumes of chemicals, generate hazardous by-products and permanently destroy silicon wafers.
JESE instead uses mild reagents and low energy input in a closed-loop process that reduces waste and leaves wafers intact for potential reuse — either as solar-grade silicon or nanosilicon for lithium-ion batteries.
Summary of test program.
Market significance
Silver is among the most valuable materials in solar panels, with each unit containing around 20 grams worth about A$36 at current prices. With global solar deployment accelerating, end-of-life panel waste is forecast to reach 60 million–78 million tonnes by 2050, containing more than A$150 billion worth of recoverable silver.
At the same time, silver demand in photovoltaics, electronics and advanced technologies is rising sharply. Total demand in 2025 is projected at 680 million ounces, against a supply deficit exceeding 100 million ounces.
Against this backdrop, Lithium Universe said its JESE technology positions the company at the forefront of an industry facing both a recycling challenge and a resource opportunity.
Broader strategy
Lithium Universe is pursuing two parallel growth initiatives:
- Lithium refining in Canada: The company is developing a green, battery-grade lithium carbonate refinery at Bécancour, Québec, targeting annual output of 18,270 tonnes to supply the growing North American battery market.
- Solar panel recycling: Alongside JESE, Lithium Universe has secured global rights to Macquarie University’s Microwave Joule Heating Technology (MJHT), designed to extract valuable metals including silver, silicon, gallium and indium from photovoltaic waste.
Together, these initiatives aim to close critical gaps in supply chains for clean energy technologies.
With the JESE process now validated at laboratory scale, the next step will be to assess the purity of the recovered silver as the company advances toward commercialisation.