Training Centre for Battery Recycling launched at University of Adelaide

The new Australian Research Council (ARC) Training Centre for Battery Recycling, based at University of Adelaide’s School of Chemical Engineering and led by Professor Shizhang Qiao, officially launched this week.

The centre’s lifespan runs from 2024 – 2029 and its work covers five themes: 

• Pre-treatment and second-life management; 
• Recycling spent batteries to materials;
• Resynthesizing materials for new batteries;
• Design of new battery materials and cells for ready recycling; and
• Industrial standards to empower the next generations of sustainable LIB battery practice and technology.

It has a team of 13 experienced university researchers and six industry partner investigators, and its industry partners include Iondrive Technologies, Gravitas Technologies, and PCI Green Technologies.

“Operating across multiple nodes, the Centre will address strategic challenges in battery recycling through five key research themes, with the University of Adelaide serving as the main hub for collaboration and innovation,” said Qiao, the Training Centre’s Director, in a statement on Tuesday.

“Outcomes are expected to shape a distinctive battery recycling model that shifts Australia to zero battery waste to landfill, establish a profitable and self-sustaining onshore industry chain and help ensure the future of Australia’s energy security.”

Picture: CEO Iondrive Dr Ebbe Dommisse, Professor Yan Jao, and ARC Training Centre for Battery Recycling Director Professor Shi-Zhang Qiao, Minister for Trade and Investment South Australian Government The Honourable Joe Szakacs, ARC Branch Manager, Research Evaluation and Policy Ms Alison Beasley, Professor Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research Operations and Commercialisation) Michael Goodsite and Dr Tatiana Khmeleva (credit ARC Training Centre for Battery Recycling)