Australia’s battery materials recovery industry is poised for explosive growth, with the potential to more than triple its economic contribution to AU$6.9 billion by 2050, according to a new national Industry Profile.
The profile, commissioned by the Association for the Battery Recycling Industry (ABRI), provides the first comprehensive audit of Australia’s growing battery circular economy. Currently, the sector contributes AU$2.1 billion to the national economy and supports nearly 20,000 jobs.
The report highlights Australia’s unique position to become a global leader in ‘urban mining’ or the process of recovering critical minerals from end-of-life batteries.
While the country already boasts a robust capacity for recycling lead, the report highlights a projected 36-fold surge in used lithium batteries as a massive economic gift for the nation.
ABRI CEO Katharine Hole emphasised that the building blocks for a thriving industry are already in place, but warned that success depends on the right policy settings.
“Australia’s battery recycling sector is already delivering significant economic value, and the opportunity ahead is even greater. It’s great to have this report to build awareness about the work that’s underway including drawing on the Australian research sector to develop exportable technology,” Hole said.
“As battery use grows across manufacturing equipment, electric vehicles and energy storage, we have a chance to build a strong domestic industry that keeps valuable materials in circulation, supports regional jobs and further strengthens Australia’s position in the global critical minerals supply chain.”
The report highlights the importance of nationally consistent mandatory battery producer responsibility, safe and scalable collection systems, and policy settings that support domestic processing capability.
David Williams-Chen, Managing Director of Positive Economics Advisory, noted that in an era of sluggish productivity, battery recycling offers a fresh economic lever to pull.
“Our analysis shows that battery materials recovery is already an important and growing part of Australia’s circular economy,” Williams-Chen said.
“As battery volumes increase over coming decades, the sector has the potential to expand significantly, supporting new investment, skilled jobs and domestic capability in recovering critical minerals.
“In an era of low economic growth and sluggish productivity, battery recycling offers Australia a new economic lever to pull on.”