Iondrive Limited has demonstrated over 85% silver extraction efficiency using its IONSolv™ technology, marking a significant step forward in recycling end-of-life solar panels in Australia.
- IONSolv™ achieves 85%+ silver extraction in bench-scale tests
- Collaboration with Livium Ltd advances solar panel feedstock preparation
- Focus on recovering silver and polysilicon from photovoltaic waste
- Rising Australian solar panel waste stream drives recycling urgency
- Next phase includes techno-economic assessments and scalability trials
Innovative Silver Extraction Technology
Iondrive Limited (ASX – ION) has reported promising early results from its proprietary IONSolv™ metal extraction platform, achieving over 85% silver recovery efficiency in initial laboratory bench-scale tests. This milestone establishes a solid foundation for the company’s ambitions to revolutionise solar panel recycling in Australia, where the volume of photovoltaic waste is rapidly increasing.
Strategic Collaboration with Livium Ltd
The company is progressing its solar recycling program in partnership with Livium Ltd, an Australian firm specialising in circular economy solutions. Livium supports the initiative by providing mechanically prepared end-of-life solar panel materials, enabling Iondrive to test its chemical extraction methods on realistic feedstock. This collaboration is critical to bridging laboratory success with practical, scalable recycling workflows.
Addressing a Growing Environmental Challenge
Australia faces a mounting challenge as solar panels installed in the early 2000s near their end-of-life, with projections estimating hundreds of thousands of tonnes of solar waste by 2030. Current recycling practices largely recover only aluminium framing and junction boxes, leaving valuable materials like silver and polysilicon underutilised or discarded. Iondrive’s technology aims to capture these high-value components early in the recycling process, potentially transforming waste management and resource recovery.
Next Steps and Broader Implications
Following the encouraging bench-scale results, Iondrive plans to advance its program with further laboratory optimisation, techno-economic assessments, and larger-scale trials. The focus will be on refining recovery pathways for both silver and polysilicon, critical minerals essential to renewable energy technologies. The initiative aligns with emerging Australian policies advocating scalable and sustainable photovoltaic waste recycling solutions.
A Forward-Looking Opportunity
While the initial results are promising, the path to commercial viability will require demonstrating consistent performance on diverse feedstocks and proving economic feasibility at scale. Iondrive’s progress will be closely watched by investors and industry stakeholders eager to see how this technology might contribute to Australia’s circular economy and critical minerals supply chain.
Bottom Line?
Iondrive’s breakthrough in silver recovery sets the stage for transforming Australia’s solar panel recycling landscape.
Questions in the middle?
- How will Iondrive scale its IONSolv™ technology beyond laboratory conditions?
- What are the projected costs and economic returns of large-scale solar panel recycling?
- How might evolving Australian policies impact the adoption of this recycling technology?