14 August 2023
1. STELLAR LINEUP FOR ABRI CONFERENCE TO DISCUSS CHALLENGES, OPPORTUNITIES IN BATTERY RECYCLING SECTOR - 31 AUGUST, HILTON SYDNEY
I’m excited to announce the final Australian Battery Recycling & Manufacturing Summit Speaker List 2023.
ABRI is fortunate to have Martijn Wilder, the recently announced Chair of the National Reconstruction Fund, as the leading keynote speaker. He brings extensive knowledge and experience across climate change, renewable energy, legal and investment sectors to set the scene for the day.
Wood McKenzie will also provide a battery recycling minerals market overview.
There will be panel sessions on investment and grant opportunities for emerging and established recyclers as well as discussions on challenges and opportunities in the sector. Finally, the conference would not be complete without a discussion of regulatory matters!
I’m looking forward to catching up with ABRI members from across the battery value chain. At this stage, almost half the membership is attending so if you haven’t signed up yet don’t miss out on this opportunity to network and join the discussion on the future of the battery recycling sector.
Katharine Hole, CEO, ABRI
2. ABRI EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE - NEW PRESIDENT, NICHOLAS ASSEF, BATTRY POLLUTION AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS BEN PRITCHARD, ENVIROSTREAM & SHANE PIUSELLI, NYRSTAR
Nicholas Assef, CEO Battery Pollution, appointed ABRI President. Nicholas brings over 25 years experience to the role from a career that spans corporate law, investment banking, academia and specialist asset development. He is a staunch environmentalist and a recognised leader and strategist.
The award winning investment banking firm he founded nearly 20 years ago, LCC Asia Pacific, is a specialist in sectors including engineering, waste, environmental services and renewable energy – with current companies under development in battery recycling technology, second life battery manufacture, large scale battery energy storage systems and renewable projects.
ABRI thanks outgoing President, Andrew Mackenzie, for his significant contributions to the battery recycling industry, battery stewardship and ABRI since joining the Executive Committee in 2017. Andrew has been a leader in the development of lithium battery recycling capability in Australia and an expert knowledge base on recycling of all battery chemistries.
Ben Pritchard, Customer Solutions, Envirostream appointed ABRI Executive Committee member
Shane Piuselli, Sales & Market Development Manager, Nyrstar appointed ABRI Executive Committee member
These appointments have arisen as a result of vacant positions on the Committee. Members will be invited to nominate for Committee positions at the 2024 AGM to be held in Q1 2024.
3. ABRI MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS - BUILDING VALUE AND OPPORTUNITY - DISPLAYING YOUR ABRI MEMBERSHIP
Under the guidance of ABRI’s incoming President, Nicholas Assef, ABRI is looking to forge new partnerships, encourage innovative Australian technology, and advocate for policies that support safe, sustainable and effective battery recycling practices.
As part of this work, ABRI will be reviewing membership benefits and opportunities.
A reminder – to demonstrate your sustainability credentials and support for the Australian battery recycling industry, as a financial member you can display the ABRI logo in your marketing material. For further information, see the ABRI financial member logo and rules of use. As part of the ABRI membership benefits review, the logo will be updated for 2024.
Please email your suggestions on your priorities for member support, activities and industry development or ring to discuss with ABRI CEO, Katharine Hole – phone 0488 216 750.
The Association looks forward to a future where battery waste is minimized, valuable resources are conserved, and the environment flourishes.
2. PROVIDE YOUR EXPERT FEEDBACK TO THE DRAFT REVISED ABRI GUIDELINES FOR PACKING AND SAFE TRANSPORT OF USED LEAD ACID BATTERIES (ULAB)
Draft version 2 of the updated ABRI Guideline for Safe ULAB Packing and Transport is available for comment by 28 August.
This guideline is for companies collecting and transporting ULAB to recyclers.
Version 2 of the guideline has been prepared in response to member and stakeholder feedback to:
add information on number of ULAB that can be packed on a pallet including an indicative formula
note recycler preference for clear plastic wrapping
regulator feedback on reference materials for each state and territory as well as some areas for greater clearly
Thanks to ABRI member DGL who has agreed to responsor the update to the Guidelines.
4. NSW AND QLD INTEGRAGED WASTE TRACKING SYSTEM (IWTS) ROLLOUT HAS COMMENCED
The NSW EPA has advised that the Integrated Waste Tracking System (IWTS) phased-out has commenced.
The System will replace existing WasteLocate and Online Waste Tracking (OWT) systems in NSW and is proposed to replace the Trackable Waste service in DES Online Services for waste tracking in Queensland. This will take place through a phased roll-out beginning in August 2023, as outlined in the table below.
Further information is available in the NSW EPA letter New Integrated Waste Tracking Solution for problem and hazardous wastes.