Lithium Australia NL : - VSPC appoints new lead scientist

Published: 2021-10-07 07:46:03 ET LIT.AX

Since 1999 VSPC Ltd ('VSPC'), a wholly owned subsidiary of Lithium Australia NL (ASX: LIT, 'the Company'), has been developing Australian technology to manufacture lithiumion battery cathode powders at its pilot plant and research facility in Brisbane, Queensland.

New lead scientist appointed

Dr Anand Bhatt recently joined the VSPC team to lead its research and product development programme. A highly experienced electrochemist and materials scientist, Dr Bhatt has led teams managing large-scale, multi-partner projects focused on the development of next-generation battery materials and the integration of battery storage and renewable energy generation, as well as battery recycling technology.

Dr Bhatt joined VSPC after 12 years with the CSIRO, where he contributed to mission setting and worked as an energy-sector expert in best-practice battery testing and recycling and safety/handling (including developing standards and best practices within the energy community). He has worked with the Clean Energy Council (CEC) and the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) to develop residential battery standards, settings testing and technology forecasting, and with the Smart Energy Council in developing Australian performance standards for PV-connected batteries. In addition, Dr Bhatt has authored more than 60 journal articles that have had over 2,800 citations. He is also named in six patents covering electrolytes, ionic liquids, devices and battery recycling. Dr Bhatt's expertise will be invaluable to VSPC as it continues to expand.

Contact:

Barry Woodhouse

Tel: +61 (0) 438 674 259

Email: [email protected]

About Lithium Australia

Lithium Australia aims to ensure an ethical supply of energy metals to the battery industry by creating a circular battery economy that enhances both sustainability and resource security. Reprocessing spent lithium-ion batteries to create new ones is intrinsic to this plan, with the Company operating Australia's only fully integrated mixedbattery recycling business. Having rationalised its portfolio of lithium projects/alliances, Lithium Australia continues its research into, and the development of, proprietary extraction processes for the conversion of all lithium silicates (including mine waste), and of fines generally discarded during conventional spodumene conversion, to lithium chemicals, from which it will produce advanced cathode materials for the battery industry globally. The Australian federal government has recognised the Company's progress through the awarding of substantial research grants designed to progress the nation's advanced battery capabilities. By uniting resources and innovation, Lithium Australia seeks to vertically integrate lithium extraction, processing and recycling.

Forward-looking statements

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that it is beyond the Company's ability to control or predict and which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements.