Lithium Australia NL (ASX:LIT) has shipped the first batch of mixed metal dust (MMD) from the recently expanded and upgraded Melbourne battery metals recycling plant of 84%-owned subsidiary Envirostream Australia.
The high-value MMD, which contains the energy metals of cobalt, nickel, lithium and graphite is bound for South Korea.
Recycling LIBs
Envirostream is the only company in Australia with the integrated capacity to collect, sort, shred and separate all the components of spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs).
This makes it a perfect fit with Lithium Australia’s critical battery-metal-processing expertise.
Lithium Australia MD Adrian Griffin said: “This shipment from Envirostream’s expanded operation is another important milestone in terms of revenue generation.”
Stake lifted to 84%
The first shipment from the facility in the Melbourne suburb of Campbellfield comes after LIT has increased its stake in Envirostream to 84%.
This is in line with LIT’s agreement to move to 90% ownership.
The mixed metal dust from Envirostream.
Shares in LIT have been up almost 12% in early trade to 6.7 cents.
Sustainable battery use
Griffin said: “By acquiring Envirostream and expanding its processing capacity, the company is developing an environmentally responsible framework for Australian battery consumers.
“We aim to encourage sustainable battery use with minimal environmental impact.”
Shares in LIT have been up almost 12% in early trade to 6.7 cents.
Lithium Australia aims to ensure an ethical and sustainable supply of energy metals to the battery industry by creating a circular battery economy and enhancing energy security in the process.
Recycling intrinsic to plan
The recycling of old lithium-ion batteries to new is intrinsic to this plan as is the involvement of Envirostream.
The Australian-owned battery processing facility, designed and built by the Envirostream team, is based on international best practice.
Its ISO 14001-accredited modular processing technology has involved more than three years of research and development.
Envirostream, which has agreements with a number of retailers and manufacturers regarding the stewardship of spent batteries, is rolling out its collection network nationally with safe, reliable battery recycling units that are fully compliant with Australian standards.
The shipment of MMD leaves Envirostream’s Melbourne plant.
The next step for Envirostream is to provide every Australian with reasonable access to drop-off points for spent batteries, in order to avoid them being relegated to kerbside collections and landfill.
Vertical integration of lithium
Lithium Australia will produce advanced components for the battery industry globally and sell lithium-ion batteries into the stationary energy storage systems within Australia while continuing R&D on its proprietary extraction processes.
The latter are designed to convert all lithium silicates, including mine waste, as well as unused fines from spodumene processing, into lithium chemicals.
By uniting resources and innovation, the company seeks to vertically integrate lithium extraction, processing and recycling.