Lithium extraction might have just had a major breakthrough. And one of the wealthiest families in the United States of America is behind it.
What’s happening:
- Standard Lithium (NYSE: SLI) has successfully validated the the performance of the largest continuously operational Direct Lithium Extraction equipment in North America
Why it matters:
- The Direct Lithium Extraction column technology being used at Standard Lithium’s demonstration plant is built by Koch Technology Solutions, which is owned by Koch Engineered Solutions
By the numbers:
- Over a 2 week period of testing, the Li-Pro LSS column achieved an average lithium recovery of 97.3% from the incoming brine flow while simultaneously rejecting 99% of containments such as sodium, calcium, magnesium and potassium
- The full size commercial Li-Pro LSS column has completed over 86 operational cycles at Standard Lithium’s demonstration plant in Arkansas
Going deeper:
- Standard Lithium has publicly stated that this is the only commercial scale Direct Lithium Extraction column that is currently operating anywhere in North America
The intrigue:
- Koch Strategic Platforms, a subsidiary of Koch Investments Group, previously invested $100M USD into Standard Lithium
