Envirostream produces mixed metal dust from batteries

Envirostream Australia has produced mixed metal dust (MMD) from spent lithium-ion batteries and is preparing to send its first MMD consignment to South Korea.

The company's processing facility can recycle up to 3,000 t/yr of spent lithium-ion batteries to produce MMD comprising cobalt, nickel, lithium and carbon. It also intends selling scrap steel, copper and aluminium recovered from batteries.

Majority owned by integrated lithium company Lithium Australia, Envirostream collects, sorts, shreds and separates batteries and their component metals. Lithium Australia's is involved in recycling, extraction and processing. It also converts lithium silicates, including mine waste and unused lithium fines from spodumene processing, into lithium chemicals.

Recycling of lithium-ion batteries is gaining momentum in Australia as part of its efforts to become more prominent in the battery minerals market.

Australia-based Neometals has also announced progress in developing technology to recycle lithium-ion batteries to reduce their entry into landfills and increase the re-use of battery metals.

By Angus Macmillan