12 February 2024
1. Informative discussion & generous hospitality - a great 2024 start for ABRI member events
At ABRI’s first member event for 2024, over 30 representatives from companies across the battery value chain heard from Johson Winter Slattery partners on the Battery Recycling: The Circular Economy and Funding.
Thanks to Johnson Winter Slattery (JWS) for hosting an engaging and thought provoking policy discussion which has prompted much discussion about advocacy priorities especially around waste definitions. The presentations are available here and cover:
Opportunities and Challenges to grow investment in the emerging battery circular economy technology sector in battery transport containers, robotics, de-energisation and hydromet
Misalignment between waste regulation and circular economy goals
Funding opportunities and corporate structures to support the emerging battery circular economy technology sector
ABRI looks forward to continuing to work with JWS.
Next member event - online, 15 February - Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association - workshop sector readiness for EVs (see events section below)
2. Qld Govt funding opportunities
ABRI CEO, Katharine Hole, recently met with senior officials from the Qld Department of State Development and Infrastructure to discuss battery recycling / circular economy investment opportunities.
In short, the Department invites interested ABRI members to contact it via email to discuss opportunities to expand battery recycling or invest in new battery recycling capabilities/technologies.
There are a range of Queensland Government funding opportunities. The Department is looking forward to working with ABRI members to understand their needs and refer them to the right agency and funding program. Programs where battery recyclers may be eligible for funding include:
The Queensland Critical Minerals and Battery Technology Fund which aims to support businesses across the critical minerals and battery supply chains. There are two streams of assistance available under the Fund – government grants of up to $2 million; or government equity and/or debt investment of up to $30 million.
The Industry Partnership Program which aims to support development of industries that will be in demand as the world decarbonises. Companies can receive assistance to develop local supply chains, strengthen recycling and manufacturing capabilities which create new jobs.
These are part of broader Queensland Government efforts to develop new and emerging industries that includes batteries, and resource recovery and recycling. Queensland already has a Resource Recovery Industries 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan, which provides sets out the framework to accelerate the development of Queensland’s resource recovery industries.
The Queensland Government is also committed to growing a local battery industry to support delivery of emission targets, drive regional investment and create highly skilled jobs. The Department is leading the development of a multi-technology battery strategy that will grow Queensland’s battery value-chain over the next five years. This is anticipated to be release in the first half of 2024.
3. Australian Border Force tendering for management of seized vapes
Australian Border Force has issued a tender for destruction and disposal services including the collection, transportation, destruction and disposal of seized goods. The goods must be destroyed irreversibly as such that they cannot be reconstituted or otherwise used for their original purpose. While the scope of the request is broader than vapes, the RFI specifically calls out a growing requirement to understand industry’s capacity to destroy and dispose of vape products.
The RFI can be found on Austender: Current ATM View - HOMEAFFAIRS/2149/RFI: AusTender (tenders.gov.au). Border Force will use information provided to identify industry service providers capable of providing appropriate destruction and disposal of various goods either nationwide and/or regionally. The RFI closes 2pm (ACT time) 1 March 2024.
The Australian Border Force works with industry to coordinate, manage and provide destruction services for seized goods and require disposal in Victoria (VIC), Queensland (QLD), New South Wales (NSW), South Australia (SA), Western Australia (WA) and Northern Territory (NT).
4. CALENDAR OF ABRI MEMBER EVENTS
15 Feb – online (2-3pm AEDT) Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) presentation on key insights into the automotive workshop industries’ preparation for EV transition. Registration
21 Feb – online (3-4pm AEDT) Export Council of Australia web based roundtable to explore ABRI member needs on ways to promote the Australian battery recycling industry to investment partners in the Europe, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Opportunities include the establishment of a consortium for research and commercialisation, and direct investment into individual Australian businesses. Registration
14 Mar – online (2-3pm AEDT) 2024 ABRI Annual General Meeting. Registration
15 Aug Sydney – 2024 ABRI Battery Recycling & Manufacturing Summit