DLE Weekly delivers the latest insights on Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technologies, industry developments, and market trends. Stay tuned to see how DLE is shaping the future of sustainable energy.
DLE Weekly - 14 March 2025
Global Business, BICHEM Group
Renewable Energy Powers Efficient Brine Valorization via Electrodialysis
A recent study has demonstrated the viability of electrodialysis with bipolar membranes (EDBM) powered by renewable energy for converting waste brine into valuable chemicals. Conducted in a real-world pilot setting, the study integrated EDBM with solar energy under summer and winter conditions. The system, operating in “feed-and-bleed” mode, maintained acid and base concentrations at 0.5 mol/L through advanced control. These findings highlight EDBM’s potential in sustainable water treatment and chemical production, aligning with global efforts to enhance resource efficiency and cleaner industrial processes.
Bolivia’s Lithium Agreements Face Strong Opposition
Bolivia’s $2 billion lithium development agreements with China’s CBC (a subsidiary of CATL) and Citic Guoan Group and Russia’s Uranium One Group (UOG) are facing strong public opposition due to transparency concerns and potential environmental and economic risks. In response, Bolivia’s House of Representatives suspended discussions on the contracts in February. If not approved, industrial production could be delayed by 10 to 15 years. China’s $1 billion project aims to build lithium processing facilities, while UOG’s project raises stronger concerns with a higher cost, reportedly 2.4 times the Chinese project’s per-ton lithium carbonate cost.
DLE Technology Derisking Completed at a Lithium Project
Smackover Lithium, a joint venture between Standard Lithium and Equinor, has successfully completed the final derisking phase for its direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology at the South West Arkansas (SWA) project. Over three months, the field-pilot plant achieved a 99% lithium recovery rate and processed 100,170 gallons of brine. The pilot produced 970 gallons of lithium chloride solution, now being converted into battery-quality lithium carbonate by three vendors, with results expected in May 2025.
A Lithium Project Faces Environmental Challenges
Controlled Thermal Resources’ (CTR) Hell’s Kitchen Lithium Project, located near California’s Salton Sea, plans to build up to seven facilities over a vast underground lithium brine reservoir. Its first plant aims to be the world’s first fully integrated lithium and renewable energy production facility, targeting 25,000 tons of battery-grade lithium hydroxide annually. However, multiple environmental groups have appealed the project’s approval, arguing that its impact on water resources and air pollution was not adequately assessed.
An Achievement in a Lithium Metal Battery Production Project
E3 Lithium and Pure Lithium have successfully produced lithium metal batteries using brines from E3 Lithium and Pure Lithium’s proprietary technology. By combining E3’s lithium concentrate production with Pure Lithium’s innovative electrodeposition process, the companies have successfully extracted lithium metal from various concentrate types. Over 80 lithium metal battery cells have been manufactured for performance testing. The results are expected to be released by Q2 2025.
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