Battery recycling specialist Envirostream Australia Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of Lithium Australia NL (ASX: LIT), has sent its first shipment of valuable mixed metal dust (MMD) from its upgraded battery recycling plant in Campbellfield, Victoria.
The MMD shipment, bound for South Korea, included energy metals cobalt, nickel, lithium and graphite.
Lithium Australia recently increased its interest in Envirostream to 84.1% and which will ultimately become a 90% ownership interest holder.
Managing Director Adrian Griffin said the departure of the maiden MMD shipment fits within Lithium Australia’s aims to ensure an ethical and sustainable supply of energy metals to the battery industry (enhancing energy security in the process) by creating a circular battery economy.
“This shipment from Envirostream’s expanded operation is another important milestone in terms of revenue generation.
“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.”
The recycling of old lithium-ion batteries to new is intrinsic to this plan. 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.
