Australia’s lithium-ion battery market is booming, and with that growth comes a critical need: responsible recycling. As electric vehicles, solar storage systems, and consumer electronics flood the market, the pile of used lithium-ion batteries is growing faster than ever. That’s where specialized crushing and separation equipment comes in—turning what might otherwise be hazardous waste into valuable materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel. But with so many suppliers out there, how do you pick the right one? We’ve done the legwork to round up the top 10 players in Australia, focusing on reliability, innovation, and real-world performance. Whether you’re a small recycling facility or a large-scale operation, this guide will help you find the equipment that fits your needs.
1. EcoCycle Solutions
The All-in-One Battery Recycling Experts
When it comes to lithium-ion battery recycling, EcoCycle Solutions has built a reputation for being the “one-stop shop” for Australian businesses. Founded in 2015, they’ve grown from a small startup to a leader in the industry, and a big part of that success is their focus on li-ion battery breaking and separating equipment that’s both efficient and easy to use.
What really stands out about EcoCycle is their flagship system: the Li-Break Pro Series. Designed specifically for Australian conditions, these machines handle everything from small laptop batteries to large EV battery packs. The process starts with a pre-shredder that breaks down the batteries into manageable pieces, followed by a separation unit that uses a combination of air classification and magnetic sorting to pull out metals, plastics, and electrode materials. Unlike some competitors, EcoCycle’s equipment is modular—so you can start small and scale up as your business grows.
Local businesses love them for their after-sales support, too. “We started with a basic Li-Break 500 system three years ago, and as we expanded, EcoCycle helped us upgrade to the 1500 model without any hassle,” says Mark Thompson, operations manager at Sydney-based Green回收. “Their team even sent technicians to train our staff—something you don’t always get with overseas suppliers.”
- Li-Break Pro Series: 500kg/h to 2500kg/h capacity options
- Built-in safety features to handle battery fires (a common concern in recycling)
- Compliant with Australian environmental standards, including dust and fume control
2. GreenTech Innovations
Sustainable by Design
GreenTech Innovations isn’t just about selling equipment—they’re on a mission to make battery recycling as eco-friendly as possible. That’s why their air pollution control system equipment is a game-changer for businesses looking to reduce their carbon footprint.
Based in Melbourne, GreenTech was founded by a team of environmental engineers who saw a gap in the market: many recycling machines on the market released harmful fumes during the crushing process, especially when dealing with lithium-ion batteries (which can emit toxic gases if not handled properly). Their solution? The CleanAir 3000, an integrated system that captures 99% of dust and fumes before they escape into the air. It works by using a high-powered vacuum to suck in pollutants, which are then filtered through a multi-stage system—including HEPA filters and activated carbon—to remove even the smallest particles.
But GreenTech doesn’t stop at air control. Their lithium-ion battery breaking systems are also designed to minimize water usage, a big plus in drought-prone Australia. “We used to have to constantly refill our water tanks for cooling and dust suppression,” says Lisa Patel, owner of Brisbane Battery Recycling. “With GreenTech’s dry separation technology paired with the CleanAir system, we’ve cut our water use by 70%—and our utility bills have dropped, too.”
Another highlight? Their equipment is built to last. Made with heavy-duty steel and parts sourced from Australian suppliers, GreenTech machines have an average lifespan of 10+ years, which means less waste from equipment replacement down the line.
- CleanAir 3000: Integrated air pollution control for battery recycling
- Dry separation technology to reduce water dependency
- Customizable systems for small (300kg/h) to large (3000kg/h) operations
3. ResourceMax Engineering
Balancing Dry and Wet Processes
ResourceMax Engineering knows that no two recycling facilities are the same. That’s why they offer both dry process equipment and wet process equipment for lithium-ion battery separation, letting businesses choose the method that works best for their materials and budget.
Dry processing is ideal for facilities that want to avoid water waste and handle materials like lithium cobalt oxide batteries, which can be sensitive to moisture. ResourceMax’s DrySep 2000 uses high-speed air jets and electrostatic separation to separate electrode materials from plastics and metals—no water needed. Wet processing, on the other hand, is better for extracting fine particles (like lithium carbonate) from battery sludge. Their WetSep 1500 uses a series of tanks and chemical leaching to dissolve and recover valuable metals, with a closed-loop water system to minimize waste.
What’s unique about ResourceMax is their ability to blend the two processes. For example, a facility might use dry separation to break down the batteries and remove large metal pieces, then switch to wet processing for the finer electrode powders. “We work with a lot of clients who process mixed battery types—EV batteries, power tools, phone batteries—and having both dry and wet options lets them handle everything without investing in separate machines,” explains James Wilson, sales director at ResourceMax.
Regional facilities especially appreciate their mobile testing service. Before you buy, ResourceMax will send a team to your site with a small-scale version of their equipment to test with your actual battery feedstock. “We were hesitant to switch from our old wet process, but ResourceMax’s test showed that adding a dry pre-separation step would cut our chemical costs by 40%,” says David Chen, manager at Perth Recycling Co-op. “That data made the decision easy.”
- DrySep Series: 500kg/h to 2000kg/h dry separation
- WetSep Series: 300kg/h to 1500kg/h wet separation
- Hybrid systems available for mixed battery processing
4. PowerCycle Machinery
Strength in Compaction: Hydraulic Press Excellence
After breaking and separating lithium-ion batteries, you’re left with loose materials—metals, plastics, and electrode powders—that can be tricky to transport. That’s where PowerCycle Machinery shines: their hydraulic press machines equipment turns those loose materials into dense, easy-to-handle briquettes or pellets.
Founded in Adelaide in 2010, PowerCycle started by making hydraulic presses for the mining industry, but they quickly saw the need in battery recycling. Their Li-Press Series is designed specifically for the unique properties of battery materials. The Li-Press 500, for example, uses 500 tons of pressure to compact electrode powders into hard briquettes that won’t break apart during shipping. For metal scraps, the Li-Press 1000 can compress aluminum and copper pieces into dense blocks, reducing transportation costs by up to 30%.
What customers love most is the precision. “Battery powders are fine and can be messy, but the Li-Press has adjustable pressure settings, so we can get the exact density we need for our downstream partners,” says Sarah Johnson, logistics coordinator at Melbourne Battery Recyclers. “Plus, the automatic feeding system means we don’t have workers manually loading materials—safety is a big win here.”
PowerCycle also offers custom dies for different briquette shapes, which is helpful for businesses that sell to specific smelters or refineries. “One of our clients needed briquettes that fit exactly into their smelter furnace trays,” Wilson notes. “We designed a custom die in two weeks—something most overseas suppliers would take months to do.”
- Li-Press Series: 500-ton to 1500-ton hydraulic presses
- Adjustable pressure and briquette size settings
- Energy-efficient motors to reduce operating costs
5. CleanEnergy Systems
Focused on Small to Medium Operations
Not every recycling business needs a 2000kg/h system—many are small to medium operations just starting out. CleanEnergy Systems caters to this market with compact, affordable li-ion battery breaking and separating equipment that doesn’t skimp on quality.
Their bestseller? The MiniCycle 300. Weighing in at just 2.5 tons, it’s small enough to fit in a standard warehouse but still processes up to 300kg/h of batteries. The system is designed for simplicity: a single operator can set it up and run it with minimal training. It includes a small shredder, a magnetic separator for metals, and a basic air classifier for plastics and electrode materials—everything a small facility needs to get started.
“We started with a MiniCycle 300 when we opened our doors in 2021,” says Tom Green, owner of GreenStart Recycling in Hobart. “It cost a fraction of what the bigger systems cost, and it’s paid for itself in two years. Now we’re looking to upgrade to their 500kg/h model as we take on more clients.”
CleanEnergy also offers financing options, which is a big help for new businesses. “They let us pay in installments with no interest for the first year—something we couldn’t get from other suppliers,” Green adds. “That flexibility made it possible for us to start recycling batteries when we otherwise might not have been able to.”
- MiniCycle Series: 300kg/h to 800kg/h capacity
- Compact design for small warehouses and limited space
- Budget-friendly pricing with financing options
6. Advanced Recycling Technologies
Tech-Driven Solutions with IoT Integration
Advanced Recycling Technologies (ART) is for the tech-savvy recycler. Their li-ion battery breaking and separating equipment comes with built-in IoT sensors that let you monitor performance, track maintenance needs, and even adjust settings remotely via a smartphone app.
Take their SmartBreak X system, for example. It uses sensors to track things like motor temperature, separation efficiency, and energy usage in real time. If a part is wearing out, the app sends an alert before it fails—preventing costly downtime. You can also view historical data to spot trends, like which battery types are easiest to process or when energy costs are lowest (so you can schedule runs during off-peak hours).
“The IoT features have been a game-changer for us,” says Michael Torres, operations director at Brisbane’s TechRecyclers. “We have three SmartBreak systems across two sites, and I can check their status from my phone while I’m on the go. If one starts using more energy than usual, I know to send a technician before it breaks down.”
ART also invests heavily in R&D, with a team of engineers constantly improving their systems. Last year, they added AI-powered sorting to the SmartBreak X, which uses cameras and machine learning to better separate different electrode materials (like lithium iron phosphate vs. lithium cobalt oxide). “The AI upgrade increased our material purity by 15%,” Torres adds. “That means we can sell our output for higher prices to refineries.”
- SmartBreak X Series: 800kg/h to 2000kg/h capacity
- IoT monitoring and remote control via mobile app
- AI-powered sorting for higher material purity
6. (Continued) & 7-10 Summary
While we’ve detailed the top 5, the remaining 5 suppliers are equally noteworthy. Here’s a quick snapshot:
7. Sustainable Recycling Equipment (SRE): Specializes in large-scale systems (2000kg/h+) with a focus on energy recovery. Their equipment can capture heat from the shredding process and reuse it to power other parts of the facility.
8. BatteryCycle Australia: Known for their robust after-sales service, including 24/7 technical support. Their systems are designed to handle the harshest Australian conditions, from the heat of the Outback to coastal humidity.
9. GreenMachine Co: Offers a unique “lease-to-own” program, making it easier for new businesses to access high-quality equipment without a large upfront investment.
10. EcoRecycle Tech: Focuses on closed-loop systems, where every byproduct (even plastic casings) is recycled or reused, minimizing waste.
| Supplier | Key Equipment | Capacity Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| EcoCycle Solutions | Li-Break Pro Series | 500kg/h – 2500kg/h | Scalable operations, all battery types |
| GreenTech Innovations | CleanAir 3000 + Dry Separation | 800kg/h – 3000kg/h | Eco-friendly, low water usage |
| ResourceMax Engineering | DrySep & WetSep Series | 300kg/h – 2000kg/h | Mixed battery processing |
| PowerCycle Machinery | Li-Press Series | 500-ton – 1500-ton presses | Material compaction for transport |
| CleanEnergy Systems | MiniCycle 300 | 300kg/h – 800kg/h | Small to medium operations |
Wrapping Up: Choosing the Right Supplier for You
Selecting the best lithium-ion battery crushing and separation equipment supplier in Australia comes down to your specific needs. If you’re a large facility processing EV batteries, EcoCycle or GreenTech might be your best bet. Smaller operations? CleanEnergy’s MiniCycle or GreenMachine’s lease program could be perfect. And if you need to compact materials, PowerCycle’s hydraulic presses are hard to beat.
Whatever you choose, remember that after-sales support, local expertise, and compliance with Australian standards are just as important as the equipment itself. With the right supplier, you’ll not only turn waste into profit but also contribute to a more sustainable future for Australia’s battery industry.









