Australia could turn more of its aluminium and copper resources into higher-value battery components, with a new report from national science agency CSIRO identifying opportunities to strengthen the country’s domestic battery manufacturing capabilities.
The report, The Future of Australian Battery Manufacturing: Cell Cans and Current Collector Foils, examines how Australia could use its existing industrial expertise, materials and manufacturing capabilities to produce key components for lithium-ion and emerging sodium-ion batteries. Rather than focusing solely on the country’s critical mineral resources, the analysis explores practical ways to move further downstream and capture more value through local manufacturing.
The opportunity comes as global demand for batteries continues to grow, driven by the electrification of transport, energy systems and industry. McKinsey analysis projects that the global lithium-ion battery value chain could exceed USD 400 billion by 2030. Meanwhile, Australia’s National Battery Strategy estimates that 96 per cent of the total revenue opportunity lies downstream of mining. However, much of this value is currently captured offshore, with a significant share of Australia’s critical minerals exported.
CSIRO advanced battery manufacturing lead Dr Adam Best said the report combines expertise in advanced manufacturing, battery materials and industrial process assessment to identify opportunities that align with Australia’s existing capabilities.
“That combination is central to the report’s message that Australia’s battery opportunity is not only about what lies in the ground, but what can be made here from it,” Best said.
The analysis identifies two potential starting points for developing domestic battery manufacturing: producing prismatic battery cell cans from Australian aluminium through impact extrusion, and manufacturing copper current collector foil using electrolytic deposition.