Livium and LGES Extend Battery Recycling Partnership in Australia

Extended Battery Recycling Deal Boosts Circular Supply Chain

Livium, an Australian battery recycling company, has renewed and expanded its partnership with LG Energy Solution (LGES). The agreement, initially covering recalled lithium-ion batteries until 2027, now extends through 2029 and includes end-of-life batteries across Australia. This move strengthens both companies’ positions in the global circular battery economy.

Under the new deal, Livium will process spent batteries into black mass, a critical intermediate material for battery metals recovery. Although LGES can purchase the black mass at market rates, it has yet to exercise that option. Livium currently sells the material to downstream processors, including SungEel Hitech in South Korea, who refine it into usable chemicals for battery manufacturing.

Livium reported over 350 tonnes of black mass sold in FY2024-25 and expects sales growth in the upcoming fiscal year. The increased volume will be supported by this expanded LGES agreement and other strategic contracts in the pipeline.

Livium’s Role in Global Battery Recycling Innovation

This partnership aligns with LGES’s broader sustainability strategy. In addition to the Australian collaboration, LGES recently announced a new 20,000 t/yr battery recycling plant in France, in a joint venture with Derichebourg. The European facility aims to begin operations in 2027 using spent batteries sourced from the continent.

Meanwhile, Livium is also advancing lithium recovery from spodumene waste. In January, the company partnered with Mineral Resources (MinRes) to refine its extraction technology. The collaboration evolved into a joint venture in August to bring the process to market, further enhancing Livium’s capabilities in battery material recovery.

Together, these initiatives position Livium as a growing player in the battery recycling sector, with integrated strategies across lithium, nickel, and cobalt recovery.

SuperMetalPrice Commentary:

The extended Livium-LGES deal highlights increasing demand for secure and sustainable sources of battery materials. As global EV and energy storage markets expand, regional black mass recovery and processing will become a vital part of the supply chain. While LGES’s European recycling ambitions reflect global diversification, its renewed focus on Australia signals the growing value of local partnerships. For Livium, this deal not only scales its volumes but strengthens its reputation as a high-purity black mass supplier in the Asia-Pacific region.