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1. AUSTRALIA PLACES BATTERY RECYCLING FIRMLY IN THE CRITICAL MINERALS SUPPLY CHAIN |
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The Australian Government’s vision for the battery value chain and its links with the critical minerals and clean energy supply chains is becoming increasing clear. Battery recycling is embedded across four themes through incorporation in:
- The Critical Minerals Strategy under development and recovery of battery materials as a feedstock for new products and services
- Manufacturing value add support under the Future Made in Australia including the $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund
- Powering Australia plan which is focused on creating jobs, cutting power bills and reducing emissions by boosting renewable energy, including the National Electric Vehicle Strategy and Australia’s emissions reduction target
- Australia Made Battery Plan to ensure Australia is positioned to take advantage of its abundant raw inputs for batteries, securing availability and enabling technologies for Australia’s storage needs through local manufacturing. This includes a National Battery Strategy, up to $100 million equity in an Australian Made Battery Precinct, and a Powering Australia Growth Centre
Key announcements over November:
- Critical Minerals Strategy discussion paper – This paper seeks feedback (by 3 Feb 2023) on the role of critical minerals in supporting clean energy technologies and considers how Australia might capture global clean energy opportunities by expanding the critical minerals sector into downstream processing. This includes considering options to strengthen Australia’s critical minerals ESG credentials, including through increased focus on circular economy and recycling practices, and uptake of traceability tools.
- Treasurer’s speech to the Australian Critical Minerals Summit set the strategic context for critical minerals including: the potential economic opportunity; the economic and strategic case for government action; and the complexities and challenges ahead. This includes asking the Treasury to begin working with the Foreign Investment Review Board, the Critical Minerals Office in the Department of Industry, Geoscience Australia, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and States and Territories to:
- Identify relevant data about investment in critical minerals companies
- Consolidate this data so we can better understand the dynamics of this investment
- And develop more sophisticated methods of tracking investment patterns in critical minerals in the future.
- National Reconstruction Fund – the Australian Government introduced legislation in November to support a $15 billion fund to diversify and transform Australia’s industry and economy. Renewable and low emissions technologies, and value add for critical minerals are amongst the seven priority areas
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2. GROWING URGENCY TO REDUCE AND ELIMINATE BATTERY FIRES IN THE WASTE STREAM |
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Fires in garbage trucks and at waste facilities due to small and hidden batteries are a common occurrence. They pose safety risks to staff, fire fighters and the broader community; cause environmental damage; and are contributing to escalating insurance costs for business.
Over November reports and announcements looking at this critical issue:
- Material Focus released research identifying 700 incidents where garbage truck and waste facilities fires were caused by batteries inside electricals. Material Focus is a UK not-for-profit supporting electronics recycling.
- The British Metal Recycling Association is calling for a ban on the disposal of batteries in roadside collection bins.
- The EU’s Grinner Project has received funding to commercialise AI technology to detect and remove waste batteries before the waste is damaged through crushing and processing. The technology will use an ex-ray detector supported by software to analyse and detect waste batteries. The batteries are then removed robotically.
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3. AUSTRALIA – EXPLORING REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS FOR PV AND BATTERY RECYCLING |
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The Australian Minister for the Environment has sent a warning to business that she is expecting them to step up regarding PV and battery recycling.
This comes following a joint ministerial announcement to establish a Ministerial Advisory Group on the Circular Economy. The group will look at how products are designed, manufactured and used across all sectors of the economy. It will be chaired by Professor John Thwaites AM from the Monash University Sustainable Development Institute and Climateworks Centre. Membership includes Australia’s Chief Scientist, Dr Cathy Foley and outgoing chief executive of CSIRO, Dr Larry Marshall.,
Interest in battery recycling, especially lithium batteries is growing strongly in Australia. Three start up lithium battery recyclers have joined ABRI in 2022 and existing members are expanding their businesses to include lithium battery energy storage and EV recycling. ABRI is receiving regular requests from OEMs for introductions to lithium battery recycling members.
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4. KOREA’S K-RECYCLING ALLIANCE – STRATEGY AND PROMOTION OF RECYCLING OF KEY MINERALS |
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The Korea Times reports on the Korean Government launch of a public-private initiative to promote recycling of key minerals to improve supply chain stability. Earlier in 2022, Hyundai Motor Group and Samsung SDI, SK On, LG Energy Solution formed a private alliance to support battery recycling industry development. These companies are the battery manufacturing affiliates of Samsung, SK and LG Groups, respectively.
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5.OEMS LINKING WITH RECYCLERS A STRONG TREND ACROSS THE BATTERY VALUE CHAIN |
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The trend continues as announcements of OEMs and battery recyclers seeking business opportunities continue without a break. Over November announcements of interest include:
- Panasonic’s battery materials manufacturing unit and Redwood battery recycling have signed an agreement for the supply of recycled cathode materials and copper foil for EV Batteries.
- Hyundai Motor Group and SK On, an EV battery manufacturer, have signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate on the supply of SK On batteries to Hyundai’s US based car factories post 2025.
- Electra Battery Materials Corporation (Canada) is commissioning a cobalt refinery and launching a black mass demonstration plant. Electra has signed a supply agreement with LG Energy Solutions to supply 7,000 tonnes of cobalt.
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6. CERTIFYING BATTERY MATERIALS – AN OVERVIEW OF REPORTING AND DISCLOSURE SCHEMES |
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Australia’s Future Battery Industry Cooperative Research Centre has released an overview and comparison of the various sustainability reporting and disclosure schemes for the mining sector. The report aims to quantify and improve the environmental impacts of mining battery materials. Importantly battery recycling is considered as part of this value chain.
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7. JOIN ABRI AND BE PART OF THE AUSTRALIAN BATTERY RECYCLING INDUSTRY |
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Workshops – Presentations and policy discussions from leading industry players and research institutions
Policy and advocacy – working with governments on a national waste tracking system
News – member bulletins on key regulatory and other events, general bulletins on industry news
Collaboration with Australian Battery Industry Association on industry issues e.g. lithium ion battery safety
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