• Silver extraction to be the first phase of critical metals recycling from PV solar panels
• Average solar panel contains around 20 grams of silver, worth A$36 per panel
• Silver demand projected to reach record 680 million ounces in 2025, fueled by 7% increase in industrial demand

Lithium Universe Limited (ASX: LU7) is pleased to announce that the first phase of its critical metals extraction from photovoltaic (PV) solar panel recycling technology will focus on silver metal. Silver is a key material used in the electrical contacts of solar cells, with the average solar panel containing around 20 grams (0.7 oz) of silver, worth approximately A$36 per panel at current silver prices. The demand for silver in the solar industry is rising rapidly, driven by the global expansion of solar panel installations. In 2025, silver demand is projected to reach a record 680 million ounces, fueled by a 7% increase in industrial demand. This growth is largely driven by the increasing use of silver in various industries, with photovoltaics and AI emerging as the fastest-growing sectors. As demand for solar energy and electronics continues to rise, silver supply is struggling to keep up, resulting in a projected market deficit of around 117.6 million ounces in 2025. This ongoing imbalance between supply and demand has contributed to a 126% increase in silver prices, from US$15/oz in 2018 to US$34/oz in 2025. Lithium Universe has acquired the global rights to Macquarie University's Microwave Joule Heating Technology (MJHT) for PV solar panel recycling, which facilitates the selective separation of materials without mechanical crushing or the use of hazardous chemicals. The company is also working on developing a complementary silver extraction technology for the delaminated silicon wafers. Lithium Universe believes that the recovery of silver and other critical metals, such as silicon, gallium, and indium, from discarded PV solar panels presents a lucrative business opportunity, as the volume of solar panel waste is expected to reach 60-78 million tonnes by 2050. The company is committed to addressing the environmental challenges posed by solar panel waste while capitalizing on the growing demand for these critical metals.

Lithium Universe is committed to ensuring that both its lithium and PV solar recycling strategies help meet the world's growing demand for clean energy, while offering a sustainable solution to the challenges of resource scarcity and waste management. The company plans to focus on silver extraction as the first phase, and then explore the extraction and recovery of other critical metals like silicon, indium, and gallium, which are critical in advanced semiconductor and solar energy technologies.