Lithium Australia NL (ASX: LIT) and its 74%-owned subsidiary Envirostream Australia Pty Ltd have achieved first production of high-value mixed metal dust (MMD) from a new battery recycling plant in Melbourne.
Adrian Griffin, Lithium Australia’s Managing Director, said the first shipment of MMD – containing cobalt, nickel, lithium and carbon – from the plant is imminent.
He added that sales of scrap steel, copper and aluminium also recovered from the spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) processed to obtain MMD will recommence from the plant next month.
According to Envirostream, it is the only company in Australia with the integrated capacity to collect, sort, shred and separate all the components of spent LIBs, making it a perfect fit with Lithium Australia’s critical battery-metal-processing expertise.
“The processing of spent batteries not only improves the sustainability of the battery industry but also prevents undesirable materials going to landfill, which reduces the potential for groundwater contamination. I applaud the Victorian government for banning such material from landfill – hopefully other jurisdictions will soon follow suit,” Mr Griffin said.
We’re proud to be part of an environmental solution that offers every Australian the opportunity to recycle their spent batteries.
“The Australian-owned enclosed battery processing facility, designed and built by the team at Envirostream, is based on international best practice. Its ISO 14001-accredited modular processing technology, involving more than three years of research and development, recovers around 95% of the materials from a range of spent batteries, among them alkaline and nickel-metal- hydride types as well as LIBs.
As an onshore mixed-battery recycling company, Envirostream offers safe, sustainable and innovative management solutions for what is emerging as one of the biggest challenges facing the domestic waste industry.
Envirostream, which has agreements with a number of retailers and manufacturers regarding the stewardship of spent batteries, is currently rolling out its collection network nationally with safe, reliable battery recycling units that are fully compliant with Australian standards.
Mr Griffin said the next step for Environstream 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.
