LONDON – CleanTech Lithium PLC (AIM: CTL, Frankfurt: T2N), a company focused on sustainable lithium projects in Chile, reported the production of a high-purity lithium carbonate sample at 99.78% purity from its pilot plant. This achievement exceeds the industry purity standard for lithium carbonate for batteries, which is 99.6% according to the Chinese standard GB/T 23853-2022 (Type 1).
The company processed concentrated eluate from its direct lithium extraction (DLE) pilot plant located in Copiapó, Chile, at Conductive Energy’s facilities in Chicago, USA. The process design aimed to minimize steps while demonstrating scalability and consistent production of lithium carbonate for batteries. The process involved concentration of the eluate using Forward Osmosis, removal of contaminants, carbonization to technical lithium carbonate and a final polishing step to achieve a high level of purity.
Despite the weather challenges in Chicago, which caused a pause in Forward Osmosis concentration due to freezing conditions, downstream processing continued with previously produced precarbonation solution. This processing resulted in an 8 kg sample of high quality lithium carbonate, which the laboratory at the University of Calgary confirmed reached the reported level of purity. Contaminants of calcium, magnesium and boron are significantly reduced during the processing process.
CleanTech Lithium also decided to voluntarily withdraw from the US OTCQX market due to low trading volumes and high administrative costs. The company’s shares are still traded on the London AIM market, the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and the US OTC Pink market.
The company’s CEO, Steve Kesler, expressed his satisfaction with the production of high-quality lithium carbonate and mentioned the ongoing efforts in cooperation with Conductive Energy to increase the production of the pilot plant. The goal is to produce significant quantities of battery products for potential strategic partners and customers.
Further processing is expected to resume in February 2025, with the remaining concentrated eluate volume to be processed by April 2025. Conductive Energy is using the current pause to implement system upgrades, including automation and process control improvements, as well as the addition of a nanofiltration step to increase purification efficiency.
This announcement is based on a press release and is intended to provide information on the company’s progress in the production of lithium carbonate. CleanTech Lithium advances its mission to supply battery lithium for the clean energy transition, using direct lithium extraction technology powered by renewable energy.
This article was generated with the support of artificial intelligence and reviewed by an editor. See our T&C for more information.
