Lithium Universe Ltd (ASX:LU7, OTC:LUVSF) has taken another step forward in its clean energy strategy, applying with Macquarie University for an Australia’s Economic Accelerator (AEA) Ignite grant to help scale its solar panel recycling technology.
The partners have lodged an application worth just under $386,000, which, if successful, would support an $884,000 pilot program designed to bring two breakthrough technologies together — Macquarie’s patented Microwave Joule Heating Technology (MJHT) and Lithium Universe’s Jet Electrochemical Silver Extraction (JESE) process.
The project is scheduled to run over 12 months from January next year, with the grant outcome due before the end of December. Funding would advance the technology from its current laboratory validation stage to a scalable pilot prototype, demonstrating the potential to recover critical materials from end-of-life solar panels at speed, efficiency and purity levels not achieved by existing methods.
Building a circular solar economy
Underpinning the program is a recycling pathway that combines microwave-assisted delamination with electrochemical silver recovery. Together, MJHT and JESE are designed to extract high-purity silver — more than 96% — while preserving silicon wafers and glass panels for reuse.
Beyond improving recovery rates, the system is expected to cut processing times from hours or days to minutes and to reduce chemical intensity by using dilute rather than toxic acids. A closed-loop electrolyte recirculation system ensures zero waste generation, while the silver produced can be fed directly back into photovoltaic cells and other electronics applications.
Lithium Universe believes the approach could transform both the economics and sustainability of solar recycling, creating new value streams while reducing the environmental impact of rising solar waste. With global panel waste projected to reach tens of millions of tonnes by 2050, the company sees clear commercial and environmental drivers for rapid deployment.
Strengthening dual-track strategy
Executive chairman Iggy Tan said the bid for an IGNITE grant highlighted the importance of the company’s partnership with Macquarie.
“With silver shortages looming and solar waste rising, the timing could not be more critical,” he said. “The integration of MJHT and JESE is a breakthrough solution that recovers critical resources with speed, efficiency and environmental integrity.
“The success in grant will allow us to accelerate toward pilot demonstration and future commercialisation. We believe this project not only positions Australia as a leader in clean energy recycling but also strengthens LU7’s dual-track strategy across lithium and photovoltaic recycling.”
Momentum in solar recycling
The grant bid builds on a string of recent milestones for LU7’s solar recycling push. Last week the company reported laboratory trials showing JESE could recover over 95% of silver in just 30 minutes, with more than 90% extracted in seven minutes while leaving silicon wafers intact.
Read more: Lithium Universe reports breakthrough silver recovery from solar panel recycling trials
In August, Lithium Universe secured global rights to the JESE process from Macquarie University, adding it to the MJHT platform it acquired earlier this year. Together, the technologies provide a strong foundation for the integrated prototype now under development.
Read more: Lithium Universe secures breakthrough silver extraction technology for solar panel recycling
Alongside its recycling ambitions, Lithium Universe continues to advance its flagship lithium refinery project in Bécancour, Québec. The planned facility would produce up to 18,270 tonnes per year of battery-grade lithium carbonate, with an initial focus on the fast-growing lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery market in North America.
Read more: Lithium Universe progresses offtake discussions for Bécancour Lithium Refinery
Positioning for the energy transition
By pursuing both downstream lithium refining and innovative solar panel recycling, Lithium Universe is looking to play a broader role in the global shift to clean energy. The company argues that combining these two tracks not only provides exposure to long-term demand for critical minerals but also helps address some of the waste and sustainability challenges of the energy transition.
With a decision on the AEA Ignite application expected in the next few months and momentum continuing across its Canadian refinery plans, LU7 remains active on both fronts of its clean energy strategy.