Georit Energy Signs Lithium Plant Installation Contract with Cosmo Advanced Materials

Geolit Energy is partnering with Cosmo Advanced Materials, a specialized company in secondary battery cathode material production, to engage in direct lithium extraction (DLE) from lithium wastewater.

On the 19th, Geolit Energy announced that it had signed an agreement with Cosmo Advanced Materials regarding the installation and operation of a DLE pilot plant.

This agreement aims to verify the commercial viability of lithium extraction by applying Geolit Energy's DLE technology to lithium-containing wastewater generated during cathode material production by Cosmo Advanced Materials. Cosmo Advanced Materials will support site usage for pilot plant construction and wastewater supply, while Geolit Energy will collaborate with its affiliate, Israeli company Extralith, to apply DLE technology and manage the installation and operation of the pilot plant.

Cosmo Advanced Materials produces single-crystal small-grain cathode materials at its factory located in Chungju, Chungcheongbuk-do, supplying them to LG Chem and subsequently to LG Energy Solution. The current production capacity (CAPA) is approximately 30,000 tons per year, with plans to expand CAPA to 100,000 tons within the first half of the year.

The two companies plan to build the pilot plant at the Chungju factory. Geolit Energy will receive wastewater from Cosmo Advanced Materials to proceed with lithium extraction and demonstration.

Recently, Geolit Energy demonstrated its DLE technology at its research center in Anyang, Gyeonggi-do, proving a 95% lithium recovery rate from domestic industrial wastewater. The adsorbent developed by Extralith uses an ion-exchange method to extract lithium in about nine hours at low salinity.

Geolit Energy plans to realize lithium production through rapid commercialization following the construction of the pilot plant with Cosmo Advanced Materials. As Cosmo Advanced Materials aims to complete factory expansion within the first half of the year, it is expected that the pilot plant will enable demonstration and verification, leading to the commercialization of lithium extraction and becoming a stable revenue source for Geolit Energy. Additionally, based on the pilot plant's results, they plan to expand their customer base to other secondary battery cathode material companies.

A representative from Geolit Energy stated, "There has been significant interest from domestic companies in technology that extracts lithium from lithium wastewater discarded during the domestic secondary battery cathode material manufacturing process, which led to the contract with Cosmo Advanced Materials. Based on our unique DLE technology for lithium extraction, we will do our utmost to commercialize it as quickly as possible."