Livium

Livium Ltd (ASX:LIT), a publicly traded entity on the Australian Securities Exchange, is strategically positioned within the circular economy for battery materials. The company, formerly known as Lithium Australia, rebranded in October 2024 to reflect its pivot from mineral exploration to a technology-focused enterprise supplying critical materials to the battery industry. This strategic shift is embodied by its operations through two wholly-owned subsidiaries, Envirostream and VSPC Pty Ltd.

Envirostream, founded by Andrew Mackenzie, is a key player in Australia's battery recycling sector. Livium (then Lithium Australia) acquired a controlling interest in 2019 and completed the full acquisition in 2022. Envirostream operates state-of-the-art processing facilities in Victoria, collecting, sorting, and processing end-of-life batteries. Its business model generates revenue through the sale of recovered energy metals like mixed metal dust (MMD) to mining and recycling companies and by receiving rebates from the government-backed B-cycle scheme. The company has established significant partnerships with major brands such as BYD, LG Energy Solution, Volvo, and ZECO Energy, securing a scalable supply of used batteries for processing. These collaborations are crucial as it expands its capacity to handle the growing volume of large-format lithium-ion batteries from electric vehicles and energy storage systems.

VSPC specializes in the development and manufacturing of advanced cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries, particularly lithium ferro phosphate (LFP). With over two decades of experience and a significant R&D investment, VSPC is one of the few entities outside of China possessing the technical capability to produce high-quality LFP powders. The company is advancing toward commercialization with a pilot plant in Queensland and a Definitive Feasibility Study underway for a 10,000-tonne-per-annum manufacturing facility. A recent A$30 million grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) will support the development of a demonstration plant, a critical step to scaling up production and securing binding offtake agreements with customers.

Under the leadership of CEO and Managing Director Simon Linge, Livium is focused on creating a closed-loop system for battery materials. The company not only recycles batteries through Envirostream but also produces next-generation battery materials through VSPC, aiming to provide a sustainable and ethical solution to the burgeoning global demand for electrification and energy storage.

Keywords: battery recycling, lithium ferro phosphate, LFP cathode materials, circular economy, advanced materials, energy storage solutions, EV battery recycling, sustainable lithium, battery materials technology, mixed metal dust, Envirostream, VSPC, lithium-ion batteries, cleantech, resource recovery, ASX listed, battery stewardship, cathode active materials, Australian recycling, green technology, electrification, battery supply chain, industrial waste management, renewable energy materials