Joint media release with the Minister for Climate Change and Energy the Hon Chris Bowen MP 

Home-grown Aussie-made technology to improve the quality of in demand batteries will receive a $30 million boost, as the Albanese Government invests in a future made in Australia.  

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is supporting Queensland manufacturing company VSPC to commercialise a new process for manufacturing cathode powder used in lithium-ion batteries.

VSPC will build a new demonstration facility, likely in Brisbane, capable of producing 250 tonnes of cathode powder each year – enough to supply 12,500 household batteries or 1,600 EV batteries.

It also means a boost for local jobs, with the company able to quadruple its current number of staff.

This innovative tech will reduce waste, costs to consumers and help diversify global battery supply chains.

It builds on billions of dollars of end-to-end investment in battery supply chains under the Albanese Government’s Future Made in Australia plan: from legislated production incentives for critical minerals, through to manufacturing new battery products.

We are determined to secure Australia’s share of the new economic opportunities from the energy transformation.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen:

“Batteries are a cornerstone of the reliable renewable energy transformation, and this new investment is helping secure a future made in Australia too.

“While Peter Dutton doubts the viability of batteries and spearheads a $600 billion nuclear scheme, the Albanese Labor Government is supporting real jobs right now to unlock the opportunities of the global energy revolution.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic:

“We’ve got world-leading battery know-how and deep reserves of critical minerals needed for battery-making.

“Combining those strengths to create a thriving manufacturing industry is important for our economic future and that is what this investment is about.

“Jobs up, emissions down and Australian know-how at the forefront of a growing global market.”