Australia’s Federal Minister for Industry and Science, Ed Husic, has officially inaugurated a new battery facility in Geelong, Victoria. The state-of-the-art plant, owned by Li-S Energy, is now the largest pouch cell production line in Australia.
The facility, constructed at a cost exceeding $10 million, is housed within Australia’s largest battery dry room. It encompasses the complete production process, from cathode powder creation and coating to final cell fabrication and testing.
During the opening ceremony, Minister Husic announced a $1.7 million Industry Growth Program Commercialization and Growth Grant awarded to Li-S Energy. This grant will support the development of Australia’s first lithium foil production facility, expanding the company’s capabilities beyond cell manufacturing.
Li-S Energy, an Australian company, is commercializing unique intellectual property from Deakin University for lithium sulfur and lithium metal batteries. These batteries offer significant weight advantages over traditional lithium-ion batteries, making them particularly suitable for applications in drones, electric aviation, and defense sectors.
The company plans to produce high-quality lithium foils and laminates from lithium metal ingots, both for use in their own batteries and for export. This move aims to capitalize on the growing global market for lithium metal foil, which is projected to reach $51 billion by 2032.
Dr. Lee Finniear, CEO of Li-S Energy, highlighted the opportunity for Australia to add value to its substantial lithium ore production, which currently accounts for 52% of global supply. The new facility and expanded production capabilities position Australia to play a larger role in the high-value lithium products market.
Source: Li-S Energy Newsroom
