US lithium processor Aquatech has acquired Koch Technology Solutions’ (KTS) direct lithium extraction (DLE) business, integrating the Li-Pro Lithium Selective Sorption (LSS) technology and IP portfolio into its PEARL process technology platform.
The acquisition of KTS’s Li-Pro LSS technology adds direct lithium extraction to Aquatech’s process flowsheet IP, lithium conversion and crystallization capabilities.
Spanning lithium extraction, purification and refining, the PEARL process technology platform delivers high-purity battery materials for EVs and utility-scale electricity storage systems.
Li-Pro LSS will be available under technology license as part of the PEARL full flowsheet licensing offerings.
As part of the acquisition, all ongoing lithium extraction projects using Li-Pro technology and associated licenses, agreements and performance guarantees will be transferred to Aquatech. This includes KTS’s role in its joint development agreement (JDA) with Standard Lithium in the Smackover Formation, where the companies have completed over 12,000 operational cycles using Li-Pro technology at their demonstration plant and achieved an average lithium recovery of over 95%.
The move also includes a licensing agreement with Smackover Lithium, a joint venture between Standard Lithium and Equinor, for the first phase of its South West Arkansas project, which is among the largest lithium projects in the US. In the initial phase, the JV expects to deliver 22,500 tons per annum of lithium carbonate equivalent, beginning in 2028.
Aquatech was previously awarded a contract for lithium refining and purification process plants for Lithium Americas’ Thacker Pass project in Nevada.
“Koch Technology Solutions has proven the Li-Pro LSS technology as a successful DLE solution, and the time has come to scale it for the market. Aquatech is uniquely placed to scale this technology and deliver it into projects as a cost-competitive, end-to-end process solution, creating significant value for the lithium industry,” commented Dave Dotson, President at Koch Engineered Solutions, the parent company of KTS.
Source: Aquatech
