E3 LITHIUM LTD., a Canadian lithium leader, has announced a Joint Development Agreement with Pure Lithium Corporation (PL), a Boston-based company specializing in disruptive lithium metal battery technology. The partnership will focus on designing a lithium metal anode and battery pilot plant in Alberta and completing a Preliminary Economic Assessment for a commercial lithium metal battery facility. The project aims to integrate Pure Lithium’s patented Brine to Battery™ technology with E3’s extensive lithium brines and concentrate production. This combined process could streamline production by eliminating the need for a lithium salt intermediary step, potentially simplifying the process flow sheet significantly.

On June 29, 2022, E3 announced that Pure Lithium successfully produced a lithium metal battery using E3's lithium concentrate. At that time, the two companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding to conduct further testing and validation. Over the past two years, they have been collaborating, with Pure Lithium utilizing E3’s lithium concentrate to create lithium metal cells. These cells offer higher energy density compared to current lithium-ion batteries and do not rely on nickel, cobalt, or graphite.

The Development Agreement outlines that over the next 12 months, E3 and Pure Lithium will collaborate on a detailed techno-economic model, continue joint scale-up efforts, and design a lithium metal anode and battery pilot facility near Calgary, Alberta, utilizing E3’s lithium concentrate. The focus will be on assessing the technical and economic feasibility of a commercial lithium metal battery facility situated near Alberta's lithium production site. If successful, the companies will explore the next steps, including operating the pilot facility, which aims to produce 200 kg of lithium metal anodes for lithium metal vanadium rechargeable batteries. Additionally, upon successful pilot completion, the goal is to advance toward the world’s first vertically integrated lithium metal battery technology.

"Integrating E3’s DLE flow sheet with Pure Lithium’s electrodeposition technology holds great potential for delivering low-cost, sustainable, and industry-leading batteries," said Chris Doornbos, President and CEO of E3 Lithium. "We’re thrilled to take this next step with Emilie and her team to move the battery from the lab to Alberta, marking a significant milestone towards achieving a commercial Brine to Battery™ process."

“Securing a reliable lithium supply has long been a challenge for battery and battery material companies. We’re approaching this differently by establishing trusted partnerships before launching battery production,” said Emilie Bodoin, Founder and CEO of Pure Lithium. “Over the past two years, E3 has consistently provided us with lithium concentrate, which we’re excited to utilize as we scale. Producing lithium metal anodes directly from concentrate significantly lowers production costs and eliminates the need for shipping, enhancing battery performance. We’re excited to advance this project and continue collaborating with the exceptional team at E3.”