Envirostream Australia signs battery recycling agreement with Hithium

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Melbourne-headquartered battery recycling solutions company Envirostream Australia has signed an exclusive agreement with China-based Hithium Energy to recycle lithium-ion batteries supplied by Hithium to UK-headquartered utility-scale solar developer Lightource bp’s Woolooga solar farm, 193 kilometres northwest of Brisbane, Queensland.

In December 2024, Hithium announced it would supply the 224 MW Woolooga project with 128 units of 5 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) containers based on Hithium’s specialised prismatic 314 Ah cells, which provides the project with 640 MWh of energy storage capacity.

The 5 MWh BESS containers are double-length modules with IP 67 protection grade and use the space in the standard 20-foot container efficiently providing 40% more energy compared to the previous generations, Hithium says.

Livium has entered an exclusive deal to recycle Hithium’s Woolooga project’s lithium-ion batteries.

Image: Hithium

Under the agreement with Livium, Hithium batteries not associated with the project, may also be recycled by Livium on a non-exclusive basis.

Hithium President Global Business Mizhi Zhang said the Woolooga project represents a significant step for the company in establishing a foundation for future energy storage initiatives in Australia.

“Sustainable disposal of our BESS products is key to our sustainability objectives, and we are delighted to partner with Livium, who have a proven track record of safe battery disposal,” Zhang said.

Livium Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Simon Linge said the agreement further demonstrates Livium’s ability to partner with leading global lithium-ion battery manufacturers.

“The Woolooga project is a great representation of the scope of renewable energy projects, which are being developed nationally, and we see further scope for our recycling services for other projects,” Linge said.

Livium will receive a processing fee for discharging, dismantling and processing Hithium batteries and a fee for supplementary services – including battery transport services, condition assessments and tailored services.

Lightsource bp’s Woolooga project will bring benefits to the local area, including optimised grid management, load regulation, and continuity and stability of supply, especially at times of high renewable variability.

Hithium is supplying 128 units of 5 MWh battery storage systems to the Lightsource bp Woolooga solar farm in Queensland.

Image: Lightsource bp

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