Tees Valley Lithium (TVL), a subsidiary of Alkemy Capital Investments, is set to significantly enhance its lithium refinery operations through new collaborations with Watercycle Technologies and Circulor UK Limited. These partnerships aim to integrate advanced on-site lithium recovery and digital tracking, bolstering sustainability and compliance for the European electric vehicle market.
Key Takeaways
- TVL partners with Watercycle Technologies for on-site lithium recovery from wastewater.
- Partnership with Circulor will implement digital tracking for material flows and recycled content.
- These initiatives support TVL’s goal of incorporating recycled content and meeting EU battery regulations.
On-Site Lithium Recovery Integration
Tees Valley Lithium has entered into a memorandum of understanding with Watercycle Technologies to deploy an on-site lithium recovery system at its planned refinery. This innovative solution is projected to reclaim up to 800 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent annually from wastewater. Based on a long-term lithium price of $20,000 per tonne, this recovery could generate an additional $16 million in value each year.
Watercycle Technologies, which operates Europe’s first commercial Direct Lithium Extraction plant in Runcorn, will develop and manage the recovery system under a build, own, and operate model. This approach is expected to improve overall lithium yield and strengthen project economics without increasing capital expenditure, according to TVL CEO Vikki Jeckell.
Recycled Lithium Feedstock Supply
In a separate, non-binding agreement, TVL has also established terms with Watercycle for the potential supply of up to 50,000 tonnes of recycled lithium feedstock over a five-year period, commencing in 2028. This arrangement is crucial for TVL’s objective to include a minimum of 20% recycled content in its lithium hydroxide production.
Digital Tracking and Regulatory Compliance
TVL’s partnership with Circulor will introduce digital tracking capabilities designed to monitor material flows and precisely measure recycled content at the batch level. This advanced system will be instrumental in ensuring TVL’s compliance with forthcoming EU battery regulations. These regulations, set to take effect from 2027, will mandate digital battery passports and require a minimum of 6% recycled lithium content by 2031.
The TVL refinery, slated for location in Teesside, UK, aims to be a key supplier of battery-grade lithium chemicals to the burgeoning European electric vehicle market.
Sources
- TVL advances on-site lithium recovery with new technology partnerships By Investing.com, Investing.com.
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