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Lithium Startups Bet on High Demand in Battery-Powered Future

Despite oversupply today, novel lithium extraction techniques will be key to the energy transition even as companies struggle with cost competitiveness. 

ElectraLith's DLE-R Proof of Concept Produces Battery Grade Lithium Using No Water or Chemicals

Rio Tinto backed start-up seeks funds for lithium breakthrough to cut reliance on China

Charlie and Zal discussed the environmental, social and economic challenges of lithium extraction and refining. For example, did you know that 2.2 million liters of water are consumed, and more than 4,000kg of CO2 are emitted, to produce just 1 ton lithium from salar brines using evaporation methods?

There’s a really cool company out of Australia called Electralith…A company that is doing DLE and Refining could be really signifcant

From green ammonia to emissions-free air travel, Monash is generating climate solutions by commercialising novel IP, translating research and empowering entrepreneurs. By bringing together top talent, world-class infrastructure and a commitment to positive impact, we empower exceptional spinouts to change our world, for good.

Direct lithium extraction (DLE) is the future of global brine production because of its lower costs and environmental impact, according to Australian startup ElectraLith.

CEO Charlie McGill sees the company's "direct lithium extraction and refining" surpassing other DLE methods because it does not need water or chemicals.

ElectraLith is testing brines for major shareholder Rio Tinto's Rincon lithium project in Argentina and is fielding interest from other miners.Direct lithium extraction to spread across all brines – ElectraLith CEO

“We believe ours is the smartest,” says McGill, of the many DLE methods. “It requires no water, no chemicals, it can run on solar and wind, whereas these other processes continue to require water and chemicals and power from the grid.”

McGill is no newcomer to lithium; he served as chief financial officer of Western Australian spodumene aspirant Kidman Resources, shortly before it was acquired by Wesfarmers in 2019. Wesfarmers will start mining and refining the rocks from Kidman’s former Mt Holland mine into lithium hydroxide south of Perth within the next year.

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A direct lithium extraction technology that reportedly negates the need for water and chemicals and will be powered entirely from renewable energy is being developed by an Australian university spin-off company.

ElectraLith has developed a clean, fast, sustainable and cost-effective lithium extraction process that, unlike traditional extraction, does not require evaporation, precipitation, and chemical treatment

Last June, IP Group was a main investor alongside Rio Tinto in ElectraLith, a start-up spun out of Monash University, that is trying to commercialise lithium extraction and refining technology

Could ElectraLith’s membrane technology replace traditional lithium extraction methods?

Monash University startup pioneers brine lithium filtering membrane

ElectraLith’s lithium extraction process could help meet growing demand for the mineral

Membranes make extracting lithium cheaper and cleaner

Electralith has the potential to process lithium-brine much faster and with a higher purity, while dramatically reducing its environmental footprint

ElectraLith’s technology to cut production costs for lithium – would be crucial to helping the transition

Lithium tech start-up locks in funding for green solution