The report draws on joint research with the European Patent Office, which describes the national strategies designed to move Australia up the value chain, from mineral extraction to material recovery and recycling. At the same time, the European Union has introduced sustainability, circularity and traceability requirements for market access.
Between 2014 and 2021, the focus of Australian patenting activity was minerals refinement, accounting for three-quarters of applications. Since 2021, material recovery is the focus of more than half of Australian patent families related to battery circularity.
'The data suggests a growing emphasis in where innovation is occurring across the battery value chain, with increased patenting activity in technologies linked to recycling, processing and materials recovery,' Chief Economist Dr Michael Falk said.
Australian clean energy company Livium, featured in the report, underscored the value of patenting to protect their processes for recycling lithium‑ion batteries as they scaled their business.
Livium CEO Simon Linge notes, '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.'
The study's findings are consistent with a broader policy focus on strengthening domestic capability in priority industries including through initiatives such as the Future Made in Australia agenda.
'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,' Mr Linge said.
View the Livium case study.
Read the full Australian IP Report 2026 report.
Interviews are available with Dr Michael Falk, Chief Economist IP Australia, on request. Contact IP Australia's media unit at media@ipaustralia.gov.au.