28 April 2025
1.New session: 2025 Australian Battery Recycling Summit: FCAI leading discussion on recovery of end of life EV batteries
Over the coming decade, the number of end-of-life EV batteries represents a significant growth opportunity for the battery recycling sector, with volumes projected to reach 21,000 tonnes by 2034/35. For the automotive industry, managing these batteries is integral to the broader discussion on stewardship for the entire vehicle.
The urgent development of a clear and safe path for EV battery end-of-life management is=s imperative as EV adoption rapidly increases. To advance this dialogue, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) is sponsoring a panel at the 2025 Summit titled Perspectives on Orchestrating the Recovery of End-of-Life Electric Vehicle Batteries. This session will expand upon the research carried out by FCAI and MTAA regarding strategies for comprehensive vehicle stewardship in the report The Outlook for End-of-Life Vehicles in Australia.
Chaired by Richard Delplace, FCAI’s Director of Emerging Technologies, the panel will feature a diverse group of industry leaders with expertise in automotive dismantling, the insurance sector, and stewardship:
Emma McIndoe, Managing Director, AA Recycling Pty Ltd and Pick-A-Part
Shawn Ticehurst, Head of IAG Research Centre. The Centre specializes in automotive research topics such as vehicle repair, innovation in repair techniques, and examining the impacts of new automotive technologies through an insurance perspective
Libby Chapman, CEO, Battery Stewardship Council
For further information on these and other speakers visit the Summit website.
Further sessions on lithium battery recycling and dangerous goods management are close to finalisation. Watch for details in upcoming announcements.
2.Rescheduled ABRI Brisbane Networking Event - 1 May
Join ABRI members and Johnson Winter Slattery clients at the next ABRI member event in Brisbane. Matthew Shanahan (Partner at Johnson Winter Slattery) and Dr Pamela Hanrahan (Consultant at Johnson Winter Slattery and Emeritus Professor at UNSW Business School) will discuss:
Opportunities under the Future Made in Australia (Production Tax Credit and Other Measures) Act 2025 (Cth)
Mandatory climate related disclosures and implications for battery recyclers supporting larger OEMs who do have to report
The information session will be followed by networking drinks.
Date: Thursday 1 May 2025 Time: 4.00pm – 5.30pm, followed by drinks
Venue: JWS – Level 29 Central Park, 111 Eagle Street, Brisbane
3.NSW EPA & intrastate battery waste tracking
ABRI seeks input from members on a NSW EPA review of exemptions for tracking lead acid battery wastes and waste batteries destined for reuse. The exemptions, in place since 2009 and 2006, apply to
spent lead acid battery waste – which applies to intrastate transport of used lead acid batteries (ULAB) waste for the purpose of (lawful) recycling, reprocessing, or reusing the waste, or for lawful treatment of liquid waste from ULABs.
waste batteries destined for reuse – which applies to intrastate transport of any waste batteries classified as ‘hazardous’ or ‘industrial’ (ie. restricted solid) waste for the purpose of (lawful) recycling, reprocessing or reusing the waste.
They are being reviewed to:
align with other states' regulations and NSW circular economy goals
assess impacts of changes to exemptions
The NSW EPA is considering a range of options including:
revoking current exemptions and tracking all waste movements within NSW
introducing conditions requiring waste tracking
updating current exemptions
ABRI is talking to the NSW EPA about how this proposal will:
improve compliance with tracking and processing waste batteries in Australia
minimise red tape for collectors and recyclers
increase EPA collaboration with the Commonwealth on prioritising processing of waste batteries in Australia and addressing reports of waste batteries being exported without the required permits
ABRI will provide further details to members on the NSW EPA’s next steps including consultation as these become available.
4.Presentation: Industry associations, competition law, pricing and information sharing (11am, Thurs 1 May)
ABRI members are invited to join a presentation by Johnson Winter Slattery partner, Sar Katdare, on competition law with a focus on good practice for collaborating within industry associations particularly around pricing and information sharing. The discussion is timely given moves to mandatory producer responsibility. As industry bodies consider financial viability of the sector, moving to more sustainable practices and other forms of industry collaboration, there are risks of engaging in cartel conduct. Sar will provide an overview of:
What is cartel conduct?
How can cartel conduct occur via industry bodies?
How can you minimise these risks?
Many of you may already be familiar with the ACCC's information on industry associations. This session will provide more context around this information.
5. Building the Industry’s Voice - out and about with ABRI
ABRI CEO, Katharine Hole, will discuss battery recycling and industry priorities at:
The Waste and Recycling Contractors Association Industry Conference (13 June)
A circular economy showcase part of the Resources, Energy and Innovation Forum in Dubbo. The area is the centre of the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (19 June)