Melbourne-based company, Injectronics, will soon launch Australia’s first scalable battery remanufacturing program, after receiving a $103,000 grant from the Federal Government.

The aim of the project is to reduce single-use hybrid-batteries nationwide, by supplying consumers with a cost-effective and sustainable method to replace their faulty batteries.

The project will offer an aftermarket alternative to purchasing a brand-new battery, with Injectronics planning to amass a collection of remanufactured batteries, ready to install in Australia’s aging fleet of hybrid vehicles.

“The automotive industry has had limited hybrid battery remanufacturing support until now,” said Gino Ricciuti, General Manager of IM Group (the parent company of Injectronics).

“Early hybrid batteries are underperforming and out of warranty…retired batteries are going to landfill.”

“Roughly 13,000 batteries needed changing last year, and we expect to have 23,000 that need replacing annually by 2024. Currently, the only option is a brand-new battery, for which the cost could be more than the vehicle itself is worth.”

To solve this problem, Injectronics plans to create a “circular economy”, using remanufactured units by, as Mr Ricciuti explained, “taking used batteries, identifying which battery cells are usable and which aren’t and creating a new pack altogether.”

The company expects that from April / May 2021, they will be able to supply workshops with remanufactured batteries approximately 60 to 80 per cent lower in price compared to a new battery.

“We already have a bank of batteries ready for distribution and we have the capability to remanufacture a further 10 units a day, so we believe we can service the market,” Mr Ricciuti continued.

“At the moment our focus is on Toyota Camry and Prius, but we are already investigating other makes and models. When we are ready to open up further to the market, we envisage this will be a straightforward process.”

At the launch of the project, CEO of the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association, Stuart Charity, said that Injectronics would provide “fleet and car-owners with a cost-effective way to replace the battery on a vehicle that has environmental benefits.”

“There were a lot of experts that predicted when the car industry shut down a few years ago that would spell the total demise of automotive manufacturing and remanufacturing in Australia – how wrong they were,” said Mr Charity.

While currently focusing on serving the automotive aftermarket, Mr Ricciuti foresees opportunities for manufacturers and car dealerships.

Injectronics’ long-term plan is to open more facilities across Australia, potentially extending to New Zealand. The company is also set to explore other battery supply and remanufacturing opportunities, as well as extending its processes beyond hybrid batteries to the lithium-ion batteries used in pure electric vehicles.

Source: CarAdvice | Melbourne-based company to launch hybrid battery recycling program

12 February 2021