Livium (ASX:LIT) has commenced engagement with Australian data centre operators to assess how its Envirostream subsidiary can support future battery recycling requirements.
The company says the build-out of artificial intelligence (AI) and data centres in Australia is expected to create a growing battery recycling stream as large-format backup battery systems reach end of life.
Data centre operators rely on uninterruptible power supply (UPS) backup battery systems, historically lead-acid and increasingly lithium-ion.
Livium says this structural shift creates a “long-term recycling opportunity” that Envirostream can service through its existing platform.
Managing Director Simon Linge says with Australia emerging as a global hub for AI and data centres, related facilities will depend on large-format backup batteries.
“As those batteries reach end of life, operators will need responsible, auditable, and onshore recycling pathways,” Linge says.
“Envirostream is already built for this requirement, with EPA-licenced processing facilities, national collection infrastructure, and established chain-of-custody processes.”
Livium notes Envirostream’s commercial model combines customer fees for certified disposal with downstream recovery of critical minerals, which is well aligned to the data centre battery waste stream.
Tightening e-waste regulation is likewise expected to increase demand for auditable, onshore solutions, while Livium’s rare earth element extraction licence provides medium-term alignment with future hardware decommissioning.
In 2024, Australia ranked second globally after the US as the most attractive destination for data centre investment, with 44 data centres in the New South Wales development pipeline alone, totalling 11.4 gigawatts of planned capacity.
Livium is focused on strengthening Australia’s clean energy supply chain with battery recycling via its wholly owned subsidiary Environstream. It is also expanding into rare earth and solar panel recycling, as well as black mass processing.
Write to Paula Fabe at Mining.com.au
Images: Livium
