Battery recycling industry a “must-have” development opportunity
2 April 2025 The Association for the Battery Recycling Industry (ABRI) is calling on all Federal Election candidates to support Australia’s growing battery recycling sector.
CEO Katharine Hole said the industry is a must-have sector that will need to process the rapidly escalating volumes of small, energy storage and EV batteries – forecast to reach 50,000 tonnes by 2030, a staggering 60% increase on current estimates.
The industry has already made significant strides in recovering the metals and critical minerals from batteries but needs an incoming government to commit to a range of initiatives.
“We believe as an industry that there are several things that an incoming government can to accelerate this vital sector and promote the battery circular economy,” Ms Hole said.
“For example, a one-off discrete funding pool to drive capex at scale in logistics and recycling to address the volume of lithium batteries at the end of their useful life.
“Other programs that would help the sector would be to leverage existing international requirements for large format battery tracking and tracing, and map local infrastructure to that can support service hubs to refurbish, reuse and recycle batteries.”
Ms Hole said the NSW Parliament passed (28 March) mandatory stewardship legislation with batteries the first product to be regulated.
“We are looking forward to continuing to work with NSW to inform policy positions for its successful implementation,” she said.
“Meanwhile, we hope the Federal Government will take the lead and ensure this becomes a single set of national rules.
“A mandatory producer responsibility framework with strong governance and performance rules would benefit the industry and consumers. And if complemented with a set of rules supporting battery reuse and re-manufacturing, it would lead to better environmental outcomes.”
Australian battery recycling technology is world class and Ms Hole encourages an incoming government to engage internationally to promote the industry and develop joint solutions.
The battery recycling industry has already invested well in excess of $50 million in the last few years, with this number expected to grow rapidly. The sector offers financial, safety and environmental benefits to the Australian population:
small business investment and job opportunities in very state and territory
exportable technology drawing on Australian research and mining sector capability to recover critical minerals
critical minerals supply chain security
minimises fire risks of incorrect recycling
ABRI represents more than 60 members from across the battery value chain who provide recycling services all battery chemistries and applications, including e-waste recyclers. For more information, go to the ABRI website and join industry at the 2025 Australian Battery Recycling & Manufacturing Summit in Sydney on 17 July.