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Australia’s Science and Research Priorities and National Science Statement - Submission
The Association for the Battery Recycling Industry (ABRI) welcomes a national discussion on how Australia can draw on opportunities, challenges and strengths to inform the nation’s science and research priorities. ABRI is grateful to be part of the conversation.
Net zero greenhouse emissions goals supported by electrification and a step change in battery uptake have economy wide consequential impacts which will require science based solutions to support the transformation in energy generation and use.
As Australia develops Battery Industry, Electric Vehicle and Critical Minerals strategies, there is a unique opportunity to support implementation by prioritising research to focus on energy transition impacts such as:
• minimising fire risks at all stages of a battery’s life cycle and informing best practice
safety for everyone
• developing cost effective and accessible solutions to recycling and repurposing
batteries in regional, rural and remote areas
• drawing on Australia’s metallurgy expertise to recover critical minerals and cathodes
from used batteries with minimal environmental impact
• safe and sustainable battery repurposing and reuse
These research priorities could equally be applied to managing end of life solutions to all clean energy technologies. They have the potential to support the development of secondary industries for the battery sector, much like the METS (Mining, Equipment,
Technology and Services) sector for mining. Supporting battery recycling and associated industries will also contribute to critical mineral and national security goals.
Australia has a unique combination of factors which have the potential to make it a leader in battery recycling solutions by bringing parties together to solve the challenges posed. These factors are:
• Locally developed battery recycling and critical mineral recovery technologies and a
rapidly expanding battery recycling sector
• Electrification of mining fleets and equipment and increasing onsite energy storage,
which will require end of life battery management services
• Energy networks, OEMS, mining and METS companies are already exploring
opportunities to repurpose EV batteries into energy storage systems and recycle
batteries from energy storage systems
• Growing uptake of energy storage systems connected to the grid and standalone
power systems in regional and remote which will require end of life battery
management services. Renewable energy infrastructure investors are also exploring
how to make this happen
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• Strong metallurgical business and research expertise and knowledge which can be
drawn on to recovery critical minerals and create value added materials
Support for battery recycling in remote and regional areas requires solutions to deliver safe and sustainable options. Small volumes and high transport costs associated with distance and dangerous goods requirements are significant barriers to recycling outside major metro and urban areas.
The implications of widespread battery adoption are still being learnt and worked through.
This will require research to address emerging issues and identify opportunities, and flexibility in policy approaches to adapt to the challenges of tomorrow.
By way of background, ABRI’s mission is to drive and expand a safe and sustainable battery circular economy. ABRI works closely and collaboratively with the Battery Stewardship
Council and Australian Battery Industry Association (ABIA). ABIA and ABRI have a statement of collaboration to drive continuous improvement in battery quality, industry standards and further development of world class circular economy practices.
ABRI offers its expertise to assist the Australian Government and Chief Scientist to support a smooth transition to a zero carbon economy. For further information, please contact
Katharine Hole, CEO, ABRI via email secretariat@batteryrecycling.org.au.
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