Gradiant’s spin-out, alkaLi, is transforming the direct lithium extraction (DLE) industry with its EC2 technology, achieving a record-breaking 97% lithium recovery rate from salar brines in North America. Guaranteed by Gradiant to deliver at least 95% lithium recovery at operational sites, EC2 enables industries to produce battery-grade lithium carbonate faster, more cost-effectively, and with enhanced sustainability.
The Most Efficient Lithium Solution
alkaLi’s EC2 is the first all-in-one technology designed to Extract, Concentrate, and Convert lithium for electric vehicles (EVs), energy storage, and electronics. Key benefits include:
- Lower Costs: Reducing OPEX and CAPEX by 50%.
- Sustainability: Cutting carbon and water footprints.
- Faster Production: Lithium ready in hours, not months.
- Compact Design: Deployable in mobile containers (20- or 40-foot units).
- Simplified Permitting: Discharge-ready water for reinjection.
The technology has already been proven effective at a commercial site in Clayton Valley, Nevada, for a leading U.S. energy company, delivering battery-grade lithium through alkaLi’s CFRO (Concentrated Forward Reverse Osmosis) technology.
Breakthrough Performance
Testing of EC2’s three-stage process with salar brine feedwater confirms:
- Extract: Achieves over 95% DLE efficiency, even with challenging water conditions.
- Concentrate: Utilizes CFRO to produce lithium concentrations above 200,000 mg/L.
- Convert: Precipitates lithium into battery-grade carbonate or hydroxide.
Beyond Lithium: A Modular Approach to Critical Minerals
alkaLi’s Elemental Technology adapts EC2 for recovering minerals like nickel, cobalt, copper, manganese, magnesium, and iron. This versatility enables sustainable mineral recovery from wastewater and tailings, turning environmental challenges into valuable opportunities.
- Western Australia: Partnering with a global mining leader, alkaLi will deploy a nickel and cobalt recovery system enhanced by Selective Chemical Extraction to purify feedwater for CFRO.
- Southeast Asia: Converting mine wastewater into industrial-grade magnesium sulfate, showcasing EC2’s adaptability.
A Game-Changer for Sustainability
alkaLi’s EC2 technology redefines mineral recovery processes, helping industries meet growing demand for electrification materials. By maximizing efficiency and sustainability, alkaLi turns waste streams into valuable resources while reducing environmental impacts.
Join the Revolution
Gradiant is offering a free applications testing program to demonstrate alkaLi’s capabilities in Extract, Concentrate, and Convert across diverse feedwaters.
alkaLi’s modular EC2 technology reflects Gradiant’s mission to accelerate innovation for a sustainable future,” said Prakash Govindan, COO of Gradiant. “This breakthrough will play a critical role in electrifying society and ensuring the availability of essential raw materials worldwide.
