Australia spotlights mineral refinement patenting: IP report
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The news: Australia’s battery circularity innovation has progressed toward high-value technologies for refining, recycling and recovering materials, according to a new report into Australian IP.
The context: The report, produced in collaboration with the European Patent Office, found that Australia heavily focused on mineral refinement patenting activities between 2014 and 2021, accounting for three-quarters of all applications.
The report added that since 2021, material recovery has emerged as the core focus, driving more than half of Australian patent families related to battery circularity.
Australian-based clean energy company Livium highlighted the value of patenting to protect its lithium‑ion batteries recycling processes, noting that having a patent and IP is crucial for securing investor confidence.
The report said that these findings are aligned with federal policy objectives aimed at strengthening domestic manufacturing capability, including the Future Made In Australia agenda.
What they said: “One of the things about having a patent and IP generally is that people do take you as a serious business, and it gives them confidence about whether to invest or whether to work with you,” Livium CEO Simon Linge said.
“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for Australia to really seize its moment, so we can play a strong part of the battery value chain,” he added.
The source: IP Australia media release
