Livium LGES battery recycling deal extends Australia’s circular battery value chain

Livium

The Livium LGES battery recycling deal is expanding Australia’s role in the circular battery economy and black mass supply. Under the renewed Livium LGES battery recycling deal, Livium will process both recalled and end-of-life residential batteries. As a result, the Livium LGES battery recycling deal now runs to 2029 and anchors new growth in Australian black mass output.

Black mass volumes rise as Livium expands feedstock

Livium will continue processing LG Energy Solution batteries recalled in Australia and now add end-of-life units from local users. This expanded access to feedstock should increase black mass volumes and stabilise plant utilisation over the medium term.

The recycler sold over 350t of black mass in the 2024-25 financial year to 30 June. Therefore, management expects higher sales in 2025-26 as the Livium LGES battery recycling deal ramps up. Livium channels this black mass to processing partners such as South Korea’s SungEel Hitech. These partners convert black mass into battery chemicals, which return to global cathode and cell producers.

Meanwhile, LGES is building a 20,000 t/yr battery recycling plant in France with Derichebourg. That European joint venture will also produce and process black mass from end-of-life batteries from 2027. Together, these initiatives show how LGES is building regional recycling hubs to secure critical materials.

Livium LGES battery recycling deal supports lithium recovery innovation

The Livium LGES battery recycling deal also complements Livium’s work on recovering lithium from spodumene waste. Livium signed an agreement with Australian producer Mineral Resources in January to optimise this extraction technology. As a result, the partners formed a joint venture in August to commercialise the process at scale.

This positions Livium not only as a black mass producer but also as a technology player in lithium recovery. For LGES, the partnership reduces long-term exposure to mined feedstock volatility and environmental scrutiny. It also aligns with automakers’ and battery producers’ ESG targets on recycling and resource efficiency.

In strategic terms, expanding the Livium LGES battery recycling deal strengthens regional supply security for nickel, cobalt and lithium units locked in black mass. It also supports Australia’s ambition to move up the value chain from raw material supplier to processing and technology hub.

The Metalnomist Commentary

This partnership illustrates how structured offtake agreements can accelerate the build-out of regional battery recycling ecosystems. For metals markets, increasing black mass flows from deals like this will gradually reshape demand for primary material and reward recyclers with robust technology and downstream access.

Livium and MinRes Advance Lithium Recovery Technology

Mineral Resources

Boosting Lithium Extraction from Spodumene Waste

Livium and Mineral Resources (MinRes) have partnered to enhance lithium recovery. They aim to optimize the commercialization of advanced extraction technology. The focus is on increasing lithium yield from spodumene waste. Livium's technology can boost lithium recovery by up to 50pc. This applies to fine and low-grade spodumene waste. The joint development agreement outlines key responsibilities. 

MinRes will supply raw materials at no cost. Livium will contribute its proprietary technology. Livium will also manage production processes and conduct studies. This collaboration seeks to improve efficiency in lithium production. The partnership addresses the challenge of spodumene waste. This waste often contains valuable lithium that is currently lost. The technology offers a significant advancement for the lithium industry.

Optimizing Spodumene Processing

The partnership focuses on optimizing spodumene processing. Spodumene is a key mineral source of lithium. Livium's extraction technology targets fine and low-grade waste. This waste is typically difficult to process. The technology increases the overall lithium yield. This improvement is crucial for meeting growing lithium demand. 

The collaboration between Livium and MinRes is strategic. It combines Livium's technological innovation with MinRes' operational expertise. This synergy accelerates the commercialization of the technology. The agreement ensures a sustainable supply of raw materials. This supply is essential for the development process. The project aims to make lithium production more efficient and sustainable.

MinRes Maintains Li Targets, Adjusts Output Amid Market Weakness

Mineral Resources (MinRes)

Mineral Resources (MinRes) remains on track to meet its 2025 financial year spodumene concentrate targets. However, the company is adjusting output to prioritize higher-purity production amid a softening lithium market.

Production Adjustments and Grade Prioritization

MinRes aims for 420,000-460,000t of spodumene concentrate shipments, down from 487,000t in 2024. First-half shipments reached 261,000t, but will decrease due to the Bald Hill plant's November shutdown. The company increased average concentrate grade at Mt Marion, while grades at Bald Hill and Wodgina fell. Revenue per tonne rose in Q4, driven by grade improvements, despite a year-on-year drop. MinRes targets higher grades to counter falling lithium prices.

Cost Management and Strategic Partnerships

Furthermore, operating costs at all MinRes lithium sites currently exceed 2025 guidance. The company will reduce costs by implementing rostering and mine plan changes at Mt Marion and Wodgina. MinRes is collaborating with Livium to commercialize lithium recovery technologies, aiming to boost productivity. MinRes is not alone in cutting spodumene production. Arcadium Lithium will place its Mount Cattlin mine on care and maintenance, potentially impacting market prices.

Firebird Metals Builds First LMFP Battery in China Development Push

Firebird Metals

Australian Firm Partners with Chinese University to Test Lithium Manganese Iron Phosphate Technology

Firebird Metals, an Australian battery materials company, has successfully built a lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP) battery in China, marking a significant step in its ongoing development program.

The company is conducting these tests in partnership with Central South University in Hunan province, making it one of the first Australian firms to assemble an LMFP battery abroad.

Firebird has begun testing 100 batches of battery metal formulations, with the goal of converting them into fully functional LMFP batteries. As of March 4, the firm has tested five batches, and several of them have already yielded working battery cells, according to its investor update.

Potential for LMFP Capacity Expansion at China Hub

Depending on the results of its full test campaign, Firebird may expand its Chinese battery hub to reach 1 tonne/day of LMFP capacity. The company aims to leverage China’s supply chain efficiency and academic R&D to accelerate commercial battery-grade material production.

Firebird is not alone in the LMFP race. Livium, a battery recycler, produced LMFP battery cells in 2020 at a Brisbane pilot plant. In China, Ningbo Rombay, a leading domestic manufacturer, operates at a scale of 10,000 tonnes per year, positioning itself as a dominant LMFP supplier.

Meanwhile, manganese sulphate prices, a key input for LMFP, have shown notable volatility. According to SUPERMETALPRICE, battery-grade manganese sulphate (≥32% Mn) ex-works pricing climbed from $660/t in February 2024 to $861/t in June, before retreating to $820/t by late February 2025. Prices remain well below the March 2022 peak of $1,671/t, reflecting ongoing market correction and oversupply dynamics.

Firebird’s pilot results could play a critical role in defining Australia’s foothold in low-cost, thermally stable LMFP battery chemistry, widely viewed as a viable alternative to LFP and NCM chemistries in energy storage and e-mobility applications.