Lithium Universe Extracts More than 95% Silver in Testing of New JESE Technology

Lithium Universe (ASX: LU7) has reported the achievement of 95% silver recovery from technical validation trials on the jet electrochemical silver extraction (JESE) technology it has developed in partnership with Macquarie University.

The partners put the breakthrough process through rigorous laboratory testing to assess its ability to selectively and efficiently recover silver from end-of-life silicon solar cells, conducting tests across a range of parameters including applied voltage, duration, cathode geometry and electrolyte flow rates that were optimised to maximise silver removal while minimising aluminium co-dissolution.

They also performed comparative tests using conventional hydrometallurgical acid leaching to benchmark JESE technology against current industry standards.

Near-Total Recovery

Testing demonstrated that the technology could dissolve and separate 90.2% of the silver within end-of-life solar panels after seven minutes of treatment with dilute nitric acid and 5 volts of applied voltage, with results increasing to more than 95% after 30 minutes, proving the technique could be highly-effective in recovering the metal from solar cell contacts.

In comparison, conventional bulk electrolysis achieved approximately 36% recovery under similar conditions.

Importantly, the silicon wafers within each cell remained intact and uncontaminated using JESE, compared to conventional hydrometallurgical recycling which destroys wafers through prolonged immersion in concentrated acids.

The preservation of wafer integrity opens the door to downstream processing of wafers into solar-grade silicon or conversion into nanosilicon for lithium-ion battery applications, potentially providing Lithium Universe with a significant secondary value stream.

Commercialisation Pathway

The positive test results mark an important step in the JESE commercialisation pathway and reinforce Lithium Universe’s commitment to innovation in critical metal recycling and circular economy solutions.

Executive chair Iggy Tan said testing confirmed the technology’s considerable potential.

“To achieve more than 90% recovery in just seven minutes is extraordinary and doing so while preserving silicon wafers changes the game for recycling economics,” he said.

“This technology offers us efficiency and sustainability and supports our strategy of turning solar waste into a valuable resource stream.”

Recycling Revenue

Solar panels each contain around 20 grams of silver worth approximately $36 at current prices, representing valuable recycling revenue.

By 2050, analysts expect PV waste to reach up to 78 million tonnes, indicating a potential recoverable silver value of over $154 billion.

Forecasts have global silver demand reaching 680 million ounces in 2025, with a forecast deficit of more than 100Moz due to constrained mining supply, making recycling increasingly important in meeting industrial demand.

Mr Tan said JESE technology would position the company at the forefront of a rapidly-growing industry.