Lithium Universe (ASX:LU7) is assessing a site in the Port of Brownsville Business Park in Texas, US, for a photovoltaic (PV) recycling project.
PV recycling is the process of recovering valuable materials such as silicon, glass, silver, and copper, from end-of-life solar panels.
The site identified for Lithium Universe’s PV recycling project demonstrates a “highly strategic” location for developing a large-scale industrial facility. The property benefits from immediate access to existing heavy-industry infrastructure, utilities, and transportation corridors.
Just across the channel, deep-water port facilities allow direct maritime transport, enabling receiving panel waste and shipment of recovered materials to both US and international markets.
Executive Chairman Iggy Tan says Texas presents the company with a strategic opportunity.
“By establishing scalable, cost-effective PV recycling operations, Lithium Universe aims to support sustainability while driving the circular economy for critical solar materials,” Tan says.
According to Lithium Universe, only 15% of waste solar cells are recycled worldwide and most end up in landfill as valuable waste. Between 60 to 78 million tonnes of waste PV modules are forecast to be cumulated by 2050.
Lithium Universe is focused on using mineral processing extractions to supply the critical materials that will help transition the world to cleaner energy sources.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Lithium Universe
