Lanxess & Standard Lithium consider US Li₂CO₃ plant
In the USA, the German chemicals group Lanxess is conducting a study with Standard Lithium to examine the construction of a lithium carbonate production plant. This should be located at the Lanxess’ site in El Dorado in the state of Arkansas.
Lanxess says they have already been running test operations at the plant for the last 20 months. With the ‘Front End Engineering Design (FEED)’ study, the two partners now want to test the economic viability and technical feasibility of producing lithium carbonate on an industrial scale. The final results of this study are expected in the fourth quarter of 2022.If the study is positive, Standard Lithium aims to build a battery-grade lithium carbonate production plant at one of the three Lanxess plants in El Dorado at its own expense. The German group says it bears no investment risk.
Should Standard Lithium build a plant, Lanxess has secured an option on the battery-grade lithium carbonate at a preferential price in the agreement. The discount amounts to up to 20 per cent of the market price. Lanxess says that the final discount will be determined with the conclusion of other project-related supply and service agreements between Lanxess and Standard Lithium.
In addition, the German chemicals group could still take a stake in the project company at a later date. The agreement on procedure stipulates that Lanxess can acquire a maximum of 49 per cent. Lanxess is also reportedly planning to produce electrolytes in Germany. Lanxess has entered into a cooperation with Guangzhou Tinci Materials Technology for the production of battery materials.
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