Lithium Universe (ASX:LU7) advances modular PV recycling through engineering phase

Lithium Universe has commenced the engineering phase for a modular photovoltaic silver extraction demonstration plant, marking a transition from laboratory and pilot scale process development to full system design and cost definition.

The work follows the acquisition of Microwave Joule Heating Technology and Jet Electrochemical Silver Extraction from Macquarie University and is focused on integrating these processes into a containerised, scalable recycling facility capable of industrial deployment.

Highlights

• Engineering phase commenced for a modular PV silver extraction demonstration plant.

• Technical discussions underway with international engineering firms specialising in industrial waste and recycling systems.

• Design to integrate Microwave Joule Heating Technology for room temperature panel delamination.

• Jet Electrochemical Silver Extraction to be incorporated for high purity silver recovery with > 95% recovery at ~96% purity.

• Nominal design capacity of 1 to 4 tonnes per hour in modular, containerised configuration.

• Preferred engineering partner to be selected in the next quarter.

• Silver price at an all time high amid a structural supply deficit and rising industrial demand, including solid state batteries.

The proposed demonstration plant is being engineered as a modular, skid mounted system intended to minimise site works, shorten construction and commissioning timelines, and allow replication across multiple jurisdictions.

Engineering groups under review are being assessed on their ability to deliver fully integrated mechanical, electrical and automation systems, supported by fabrication and factory acceptance testing, with a design workshop scheduled in Europe during February and partner selection targeted for the next quarter.

Central to the process flowsheet is the replacement of conventional mechanical shredding with Microwave Joule Heating Technology, which selectively softens the EVA encapsulant binding glass, silicon and metallic layers within PV modules, enabling intact delamination at room temperature without furnaces or toxic chemicals.

Downstream, Jet Electrochemical Silver Extraction applies a low voltage micro jet nitric electrolyte to silver contacts on liberated cells, achieving > 95% recovery at ~96% purity while using ~83% less acid and operating in a closed loop system with no heavy metal waste.

Together, these technologies form a two stage recycling platform designed to preserve material integrity while reducing energy intensity and chemical consumption.

From a market perspective, the company places its engineering program against a backdrop of an all time high silver price and a widening structural deficit driven by photovoltaic deployment, electrification, grid upgrades and emerging solid state battery technologies.

Solid state batteries, particularly those under development by Samsung SDI, employ silver in silver carbon composite anodes and high conductivity interfaces to suppress dendrite formation, improve cycle life and enable ultra fast charging, with industry estimates indicating potential usage of up to 1 to 2 kg of silver per vehicle once commercialised.

This represents a step change from the tens of grams used in current electric vehicles and underlines the strategic relevance of high purity secondary silver supply from end of life solar panels.

Within this context, Lithium Universe is seeking to demonstrate that selective delamination and electrochemical recovery can deliver a viable alternative to destructive shredding based flowsheets.

Executive Chairman Iggy Tan noted that the focus of the current phase is on identifying a partner capable of translating the process into a fully modular, deployable plant, stating,

“Our objective is to develop the next generation of PV recycling plants, moving away from destructive shredding towards controlled delamination and precise metal recovery. By combining robust mechanical engineering and modular plant design with our proprietary chemical and electrochemical processes, we aim to demonstrate a scalable, sustainable, and genuinely circular solution for the recovery of silver and other critical materials from end of life solar panels.”

Looking ahead, the progression from engineering studies to fabrication ready design and cost definition in 2026 positions the company within a broader industry shift toward closed loop recovery of critical materials from renewable energy infrastructure.

With global solar panel waste projected to grow materially and silver demand supported by both photovoltaics and solid state battery adoption, the development of modular, low energy, high recovery recycling systems is increasingly aligned with both economic and supply chain resilience imperatives.