Lithium Universe (ASX: LU7) will initially focus on recovering silver from discarded photovoltaic (PV) solar panels, employing microwave joule heating technology. The company is finalising the acquisition of global rights to this technology through its purchase of New Age Minerals, a private development company. Lithium Universe aims to extract valuable metals from solar panel waste, contributing to a more sustainable resource cycle. Lithium Universe is an Australian-based company focused on lithium exploration and technology development, with a growing interest in recycling valuable materials from electronic waste.
Following the initial silver extraction phase, Lithium Universe plans to investigate the presence of other valuable metals, including silicon, gallium, and indium, which are critical for the semiconductor industry. The technology, developed by Macquarie University, uses selective heating to soften the encapsulant in solar panels, facilitating easy delamination at room temperature. This eliminates the need for extreme heat and hazardous chemicals used in traditional recycling methods, while also enabling selective material separation and better recovery rates.
The International Energy Agency projects significant growth in solar panel waste, potentially reaching 8 million tonnes by 2030 and up to 78 million tonnes by 2050. Australia is expected to accumulate 1 million tonnes of solar panel waste by 2035, valued at over $1 billion. Lithium Universe chair Iggy Tan said the rising demand for silver in the solar industry and the limitations of traditional mining highlight the importance of recycling, creating a lucrative business opportunity for the company.
Mr. Tan noted that solar panel waste offers a cheap feedstock and recovering silver can become a valuable, sustainable revenue stream. Macquarie University is also developing a silver extraction method for delaminated silicon wafers, which Lithium Universe intends to evaluate once a patent is granted, further enhancing their recycling capabilities.
