Lithium Australia NL (ASX: LIT) has provided an update on the progress of the field trial using recycled battery materials in a fertiliser and the results of plant tissue sampling completed at the end of August 2020.
The company is committed to the creation of a circular battery economy. As part of that commitment, the Company’s 90%-owned subsidiary Envirostream Australia Pty Ltd is conducting a field trial in which zinc and manganese derived from its recycling of alkaline batteries were added (in differing ratios) as micronutrients to conventional mono-ammonium phosphate (MAP) fertiliser.
A percentage of plants received the Envirostream treatment, while others were given no fertiliser. Plants in the area receiving Envirostream treatments demonstrated a clearly positive response compared to those in the control area.
Performance of the control plants is in line with expectations, due to the phosphorous deficiency of the soil.
Visual trial performance is supported by statistical analysis of plant tissue from each of the areas treated.
The field trial harvest is planned for mid-December 2020, after which grain sampling will allow the company to complete a micronutrient analysis over the lifecycle of the crop.
The utilisation of manganese and zinc derived from spent alkaline batteries, shows immense promise as a micronutrient for broad acre farming. The visual results we have seen in our Western Australian field trials speak for themselves,” Lithium Australia MD, Adrian Griffin, said.
“Disposal of spent batteries is a rapidly escalating global problem. Successful applications of this type provide a great environmental solution and beneficial outcome for Western Australian agricultural. Envirostream is well placed to provide Australia with a far superior environmental alternative to sending spent batteries to landfill.”
