Lithium Universe Acquires Global Rights To Silver Extraction Technology To Advance PV Cell Recycling

Lithium Universe (ASX: LU7) has acquired the global rights to Macquarie University’s jet electrochemical silver extraction (JESE) technology to assist in the extraction of silver from used photovoltaic (PV) cells.

The innovative process utilises a low-voltage electrochemical jet of dilute nitric acid to selectively dissolve silver from solar cells, leaving behind aluminium and other impurities.

The voltage is sufficient to drive the oxidation process without damaging the underlying silicon structure, enabling selective silver removal while preserving wafer integrity for potential reuse or further processing in PV recycling applications.

Key Electrical Material

PV cells contain silver as a key material for electrical contacts that allow the flow of electricity generated by the solar panel.

The commodity is blended with other materials to create a conductive paste, which is applied to the cell surface and baked to form silver contacts.

These contacts create thin “fingers” and thicker “busbars” which collect and transport the generated electrical current.

By providing minimal resistance and high conductivity, silver ensures efficient power transfer from the solar cell to the external circuit.

Energy-Efficient Process

The JESE process complements the microwave delamination joule heating technology (MJHT) Lithium Universe holding company New Age Minerals acquired in June.

MJHT is an energy-efficient process that delaminates solar panels without mechanical grinding or high-temperature furnaces, preserving the integrity of the glass and the silicon wafer and creating an ideal precursor for JESE technology.

One PV panel contains around 20 grams of silver (equating to around $36 at current prices) and with approximately 50 panels per tonne of PV modules, one tonne of waste panels can contain approximately one kilogram of silver.

Research shows that global PV waste will reach 78 million tonnes by 2050, meaning total recoverable silver values could exceed $154 billion, presenting Lithium Universe with a significant economic opportunity.

PV Recycling Solution

Lithium Universe executive chair Iggy Tan said both extraction processes would provide a comprehensive and sustainable PV recycling solution to position the company at the forefront of critical metals recovery from solar panel waste.

“Conventional recycling methods rely on destructive processes in which wafers are shredded or ground into powder and exposed to aggressive leaching with highly-concentrated acids,” he said.

“They are energy-intensive, destroy the wafer and produce substantial volumes of hazardous chemical waste.”

“The Macquarie method overcomes these drawbacks by providing a safer, cleaner and more sustainable solution which recovers high-value silver while preserving the wafer’s integrity for efficient recycling.”

Solutions-Focused Partnership

Mr Tan said the company was keen to continue its work with Macquarie University.

“We have built a strong, solutions-focused partnership that combines Macquarie’s world-class research with our commercial vision—together, we are delivering a breakthrough recycling solution that recovers high-purity silver while preserving wafer integrity,” he said.

“This partnership exemplifies how industry and academia can work hand-in-hand to create technologies that drive commercial success and sustainability.”