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Highlights

  • CleanTech Lithium collaborates with DuPont to test new lithium recovery technology
  • DuPont’s NF membrane aims to enhance lithium extraction and reduce production costs
  • Collaboration focuses on efficient, sustainable lithium extraction in Chile

CleanTech Lithium (AIM: CTL), a sustainable lithium developer operating in Chile, has entered into a collaboration with DuPont Water Solutions, a division of DuPont (NYSE: DD), to test an innovative lithium processing technology. DuPont has developed a new nanofiltration (NF) membrane specifically designed for the lithium sector, which aims to enhance lithium recovery while removing impurities in the process.

The NF membrane, named FilmTec™ LiNE-XD nanofiltration elements, will be integrated into CleanTech Lithium's direct lithium extraction (DLE) process during an upcoming phase of post-DLE pilot plant testing. This collaboration forms part of CleanTech Lithium's ongoing efforts to refine and improve lithium extraction technologies that prioritize sustainability and efficiency. The focus will be on leveraging the membrane to maximize lithium recovery while eliminating the need for thermal evaporation (TE) and crystallization methods traditionally used in producing battery-grade lithium carbonate. By testing this new technology, CleanTech Lithium hopes to reduce the capital expenditure (CAPEX) associated with these traditional processes.

Ignacio Mehech, CEO of CleanTech Lithium, emphasized that the collaboration aligns with the company’s goals of advancing sustainable lithium extraction methods. The goal is to determine whether it is possible to produce high-quality, battery-grade lithium carbonate without relying on energy-intensive thermal evaporation, potentially offering significant savings in both costs and energy consumption.

The testing of DuPont’s new NF membrane technology is part of CleanTech Lithium’s broader strategy to optimize its operations and ensure efficient production of lithium, a key component in the global transition to electric vehicles and renewable energy storage. The pilot testing will provide valuable insights into the viability of this innovative technology in large-scale lithium production.