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LITHIUM AUSTRALIA – AN ARDENT PROPONENT OF SUPPLY-CHAIN REFORM |
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COVID-19 has certainly thrown a cat among the pigeons, highlighting shortcomings in financial systems and industry sectors alike … and there are many. A prime example is the battery industry. A brief overview of its weaknesses, including oversupply of some materials and unethical sourcing of others, plus cost and pricing pressures and monopolistic dominance of certain elements of the supply chain, is provided in the latest issue of The Power of 3.
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WA WASTE REFORM CONSULTATION - HAVE YOUR SAY |
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The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation has released two waste reform papers for public comment:
- Closing the loop: Waste reforms for a circular economy – consultation paper
- Review of the waste levy – consultation paper
Both papers relate to the implementation of the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy 2030 (Waste Strategy 2030) and explore options to improve Western Australia’s waste performance.
The submission date has been extended from 15 May to 15 July 2020.
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POWERING POST-PANDEMIC RECOVERY – LITHIUM AUSTRALIA WILL BE THERE |
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An article titled ‘Batteries to power recovery’ (The West Australian, 16 June) reports that Bankwest’s chief economist is to address an Australian federal parliamentary committee on the economic impact of COVID-19. He will, it’s anticipated, forecast long-term challenges for iron ore and natural gas but a buoyant outlook for the battery revolution. In the case of Western Australia, this will be reflected in spodumene production (spodumene being the mineral from which lithium chemicals arise).
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$15 MILLION REGIONAL GROWTH FUND TO STIMULATE ECONOMY |
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A special $15 million stimulus round of the Regional Growth Fund has been brought forward by the Marshall Liberal Government to help fast track the recovery of regional economies after COVID-19 restrictions.
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The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment has commissioned analysis of international trade data related to Australia’s exports of waste. Produced by Blue Environment using data supplied by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the analysis covers the amount of waste exported from Australia by waste type, place of export and country of destination, in value ($) and volume (tonnage) terms. The annual summaries compile and analyse the data for 2017-18 and 2018-19. The monthly summaries update the analysis with the most recent data available.
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LITHIUM AUSTRALIA – CAN THE GLOBAL FOOD BOWL BENEFIT FROM BATTERY WASTE? |
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In an Antipodean first, Lithium Australia subsidiary Envirostream Australia plans to divert spent single-use alkaline batteries from landfill by sourcing from them critical micronutrients for wheat-growing in Western Australia (‘WA’). Zinc and manganese recovered from such batteries will be blended with conventional fertilisers to benefit soils deficient in these critical trace elements.
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HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT BECOMING AN ABRI MEMBER? |
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ABRI members are actively involved at the forefront of developments in industry and government to address the rapid expansion in the market and ensure that solutions to battery stewardship are practical and far reaching. Together, we influence policy, participate in research, facilitate trials and develop best practices to ensure that battery handling and recovery options are safe, efficient and business friendly. Our members represent the entire supply chain – importers, retailers, energy providers, recyclers, as well as government and research. We rely on member support to provide the latest information, events, best practices and industry trends. If your organisation finds these activities relevant, now is a good time to become involved.
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UMICORE SECURES €125 MILLION FOR BATTERY MATERIALS PLANT |
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Umicore has secured financing for a cathode materials plant in Poland, which will supply nearby EV battery manufacturers.
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25TH INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS FOR BATTERY RECYCLING ICBR 2020 |
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The 25th International Congress for Battery Recycling ICBR 2020 will be held September 16 – 18 2020 in Salzburg, Austria. According to the Federal Ministry, Republic of Austria, events for up to 250 people will be permitted as of July 1 and events for up to 500 people will be permitted as of August 1. Austria has opened its borders for regular transboundary movements for visitors.
Any attendees, sponsors or exhibitors who register for ICBR 2020 would be fully refunded if ICBR 2020 was cancelled due to a change in the pandemic situation.
ABRI CEO Libby Chaplin is on the International Steering Committee for this event.
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FUTURE BATTERY FORUM 2020 - 20% DISCOUNT ON EXHIBITION STANDS (ONLY UNTIL 30 JUNE) |
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The management conference brings together the entire value system of battery technologies: More than 300 users, battery system & cell manufacturers and their suppliers will spend two days exchanging information, making new contacts and discussing how the industrial ramp-up with a high market share of battery-driven solutions in Europe can be achieved. The event is rounded off by the innovation exhibition with 30 inspiring showcases as a networking and break-out area.
ABRI Member Lithium Australia will be presenting at the forum.
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INDUSTRY BACKS CALLS FOR RENEWABLES TO LEAD AUSTRALIA BACK TO PROSPERITY - ABC NEWS |
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A renewables-led economic recovery will create almost three times as many jobs as a fossil-fuel-led recovery, according to a report by economic consultancy Ernst and Young (EY).
The newly published report proposed six focus areas, which it said would simultaneously stimulate the economy and move Australia towards net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, in accordance with the 2015 Paris Agreement.
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UPBEAT FORECAST FOR FERROUS SCRAP FUTURE |
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The ferrous scrap industry ‘has great long-term prospects’ despite the current difficult market conditions, traders have been assured by an expert in commodity markets. A focus on more environmentally friendly steelmaking is being anticipated as a driver for the greater use of scrap.
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MAJOR REVIVAL OF E-SCRAP VOLUMES ‘IN THE COMING MONTHS’ |
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The pandemic may take a heavy toll on electronics scrap supply but there’s light at the end of the tunnel with worldwide volumes picking up again, experts agreed during an online discussion hosted by the BIR world recycling organisation.
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RAGG INVESTS IN MOBILE SHREDDER TO BOOST RECYCLING ACROSS MULTIPLE SITES |
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Formed as a small scrap dealership in 1947, Ragg is no stranger to the collection and processing of ‘waste’ for remanufacturing. But fast forward to 2020, and the organisation employs 110 people across four sites, including a timber processing yard in Hall which has been operational since the mid-2000s.
Aware that its incumbent shredding technology was reaching the end of its useful life, operation manager Clemens Gritsch began the search for a new, energy efficient machine to replace Ragg’s existing post-shredding unit.
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BRIGHTER TIMES AHEAD FOR NICKEL, EXPERTS SAY |
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A recovery in the nickel market in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic is being forecast by analysts, but they caution it could take until 2022 for a return to 2019 price levels.
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OEM AND IFIXIT ENGAGE IN COPYRIGHT LAW SPAT |
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Repair support organization iFixit has received a threatening letter from a medical device manufacturer, which is alleging copyright infringement.
Steris sent a letter to iFixit demanding the organization remove from its website repair information for Steris equipment. The information is posted as part of iFixit’s effort to make medical device repair information available to hospitals to help them through the COVID-19 pandemic.
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