Livium Ltd (ASX: LIT) ('Livium' or the 'Company') is pleased to announce the execution of a binding IP License Agreement and a Research Project Agreement (collectively 'Agreements') with the University of Melbourne ('UoM').
The IP Licence Agreement grants Livium exclusive worldwide rights to commercialise UoM's microwave technology for the extraction of rare earth elements (REE) for 20 years. Livium now has an option for exclusive worldwide rights to commercialise UoM's microwave technology for the extraction of platinum group metals (PGMs) - a right which was not contemplated in the previously signed Term Sheet2 . The Agreements have been executed through Livium's subsidiary Resource Conservation and Recycling Corporation Pty Ltd (RCARC), the entity that holds all recycling-related intellectual property (IP) within the Livium Group. RCARC will fund A$65k under Stage 1, with total Stage 1-2 funding capped at A$200k. A grant application has been submitted under the Australian Economic Accelerator (AEA) Ignite program to support Stage 2 activities, which will commence upon grant approval. Livium and UoM will now work together to complete the balance of Stage 1 activities.
Livium CEO and Managing Director, Simon Linge commented 'Formalising our exclusive IP licence with the University of Melbourne marks a pivotal milestone in Livium's strategy to expand into adjacent recycling markets. The Agreements secure access to a transformative microwave leaching platform and positions Livium at the forefront of sustainable recovery of rare earths and platinum group metals from clean energy waste. By integrating microwave-assisted leaching into our operations, we aim to unlock new value streams, reduce environmental impact, and support the global shift toward circular supply chains.'
Delivering on Livium's Adjacency Strategy
The partnership with UoM is a key pillar of Livium's strategy to expand its circular economy portfolio and leverage its core focus on the recycling of clean energy waste. Livium operates Envirostream, Australia's market-leading lithium-ion battery recycler, providing a strong foundation for adjacent growth including REE recovery. Envirostream's existing infrastructure, customer relationships in e-mobility and clean energy, and expertise in shredding, and separation, positions it uniquely to commercialise this technology at scale. China's export-control measures on rare earth technologies3 have reinforced the need for secure, non-Chinese supply chains. With a global scope, this technology has the potential to support international requirements.
University of Melbourne's Microwave Technology
Microwave heating is a promising solution for replacing traditional methods of REE extraction due to its efficient, rapid, and sustainable heating transmission. Where traditional methods extract REE by acid leaching, solvent extraction, and ion-exchange processes, microwave technology can enhance chemical reactions and alter the morphology of minerals, which is key to selectively recovering rare earth elements, as well as other valuable metals such as copper, gold, vanadium and PGMs from metallurgical wastes. Studies at UoM to date have found that microwave technology can deliver high REE recovery rates coupled with an estimated 85% reduction of energy consumption relative to 'Hot Block' digestion technologies. REE recovery rates of >95% Neodymium (Nd) and >80% Praseodymium (Pr) have been achieved in laboratory testwork, with potential to achieve >90% Pr with an oxidant.
Contact:
Simon Linge
Managing Director
Tel: +61 (0) 438 721 280
Email: simon.linge@liviumcorp.com
About Livium
Livium Ltd (ASX: LIT) is Australia's leading battery recycler through its wholly owned subsidiary Envirostream - a profitable business focused on the recovery of valuable materials from end-of-life batteries. Building on this foundation, Livium is expanding into adjacent opportunities including recycling of rare earth elements and solar panels, and the processing of black mass - strengthening Australia's clean-energy supply chain. The Company also holds a portfolio of complementary technologies, including LieNA, a patented lithium extraction process in joint venture with Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN), and VSPC, a developer of next-generation lithium ferro phosphate (LFP) cathode materials - the leading global battery chemistry.
Forward-looking statements
This announcement contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that it is beyond the Company's ability to control or predict and which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Investors should be aware that past performance should not be relied upon as being indicative of future performance.
