LONDON - CleanTech Lithium PLC (AIM: CTL, Frankfurt: T2N), a company focusing on sustainable lithium projects in Chile, has reported the production of a high-purity lithium carbonate sample with 99.78% purity from its pilot plant. This achievement surpasses the industry purity standard for battery-grade lithium carbonate, which is 99.6% according to the Chinese GB/T 23853-2022 (Type 1) standard.
The company has processed concentrated eluate from its Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) pilot plant located in Copiapó, Chile, at the facilities of Conductive Energy in Chicago, USA. The process design aimed to minimize steps while demonstrating scalability and consistent production of battery-grade lithium carbonate. The process included eluate concentration using Forward Osmosis, contaminant removal, carbonation to technical-grade lithium carbonate, and a final polishing stage to achieve the high purity level.
Despite weather challenges in Chicago, which led to a pause in the Forward Osmosis concentration due to freezing conditions, the downstream processing continued with the pre-produced pre-carbonation solution. This processing resulted in an 8kg sample of high-grade lithium carbonate, which a laboratory at the University of Calgary confirmed to have reached the reported purity level. Notably, the contaminants calcium, magnesium, and boron were significantly reduced during the treatment process.
CleanTech Lithium has also decided to voluntarily delist from the OTCQX market in the U.S. due to low trading volumes and high administration costs. The company's shares continue to be traded on the London AIM Market, the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, and the U.S. OTC Pink Market.
The company's executive chairman, Steve Kesler, expressed satisfaction with the production of high-grade lithium carbonate and mentioned ongoing collaborative efforts with Conductive Energy to scale up pilot plant output. The goal is to produce significant quantities of battery-grade product for potential strategic partners and off-takers.
Downstream processing is expected to resume in February 2025, with the remaining volume of concentrated eluate to be processed by April 2025. Conductive Energy is using the current pause to implement system upgrades, including automation and process control improvements, as well as adding a nanofiltration step to enhance purification efficiency.
This announcement is based on a press release statement and is intended to provide information on the company's progress in lithium carbonate production. CleanTech Lithium is advancing its mission to supply battery-grade lithium for the clean energy transition, leveraging Direct Lithium Extraction technology powered by renewable energy.
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