Lithium Universe Achieves Near-Britannia Grade Silver Purity with JESE Method
Lithium Universe Limited reports a major advance in silver recycling technology, achieving near-Britannia-grade purity in just five minutes using its proprietary JESE method. This innovation promises to reshape solar panel recycling with higher efficiency and sustainability.
- JESE technology achieves 95.95% silver purity within five minutes
- Purity surpasses conventional bath methods by a wide margin
- Low impurity profile reduces downstream refining costs
- Process lowers energy use, acid consumption, and waste generation
- Next steps include optimization and pilot-scale testing
A Leap Forward in Silver Recovery
Lithium Universe Limited (ASX – LU7) has announced a significant breakthrough in the recycling of silver from photovoltaic (PV) solar panels. Using its proprietary Jet Electrochemical Silver Extraction (JESE) technology, the company has successfully extracted silver with a purity of 95.95% within just five minutes of processing. This level of purity is comparable to Britannia-grade silver, a high-quality alloy traditionally valued above sterling grade.
The JESE method stands out not only for its speed but also for its selectivity and efficiency. Compared to conventional bath recovery techniques, which yielded only 78.63% purity under the same conditions, JESE dramatically reduces impurities such as aluminium and oxygen. This cleaner output simplifies subsequent refining steps and cuts costs, positioning JESE as a potentially transformative technology in the solar recycling sector.
Technical and Environmental Advantages
The test program, conducted in partnership with Macquarie University, involved precision laser-cutting of solar silicon cells to expose silver-rich busbars and fingers. Applying a controlled 5-volt potential, JESE dissolves silver into a nitric electrolyte and then deposits it back onto a substrate with remarkable purity and uniformity. Notably, the process operates under mild conditions, requiring only dilute nitric acid and low voltage, which translates into lower energy consumption and reduced chemical use.
From an environmental perspective, JESE’s low impurity profile means less chemical waste and fewer heavy metals like lead and bismuth in the recovered silver. This aligns well with growing sustainability demands in the recycling industry and supports Lithium Universe’s broader commitment to green technologies and circular economy principles.
Commercial Implications and Next Steps
Achieving near-commercial grade silver in a single recovery step is a milestone that could significantly enhance the economics of solar panel recycling. The faster processing time and higher purity output increase throughput potential and reduce operational complexity. Lithium Universe plans to build on these promising results through further optimization studies and larger-scale pilot tests to validate continuous operation and explore recovery of other valuable metals.
Executive Chairman Iggy Tan highlighted the strategic importance of this development, stating that JESE positions the company at the forefront of advanced solar recycling technologies. With solar panel waste expected to surge globally, efficient recovery of valuable metals like silver is critical to both economic viability and environmental stewardship.
Alongside its lithium refinery project in Québec, Canada, Lithium Universe is carving out a dual-path strategy to address resource scarcity and sustainability challenges in the clean energy transition.
Bottom Line?
Lithium Universe’s JESE technology could redefine solar panel recycling economics and sustainability, with pilot tests poised to confirm its commercial viability.
Questions in the middle?
- How will JESE scale in continuous industrial operations beyond laboratory trials?
- What are the timelines and costs associated with commercial deployment of JESE?
- Can JESE efficiently recover other critical metals from solar panels to enhance profitability?