IBAT Powers Up First Commercial DLE Plant in Utah, US

International Battery Metals (IBAT) has taken a major leap forward in lithium extraction technology with the commencement of commercial operations at its modular Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) plant in Utah. This achievement holds significant weight for the industry, marking two firsts: globally, it represents the first ever production of lithium from a modular DLE system, and in North America, it signifies the inauguration of the first commercial DLE operation.

John Burba, founder and chief technology officer of IBAT, described the achievement as a pivotal moment for the company and a sign of forthcoming industry transformation. He emphasized that this development would significantly enhance lithium production in a more cost-effective and sustainable manner, paving the way for lower-priced, high-quality lithium supplies essential for EV batteries and large-scale grid backup battery installations. Burba noted that this marks the beginning of a U.S. lithium production renaissance with the potential to create a major shift in global lithium supplies.

The commercial facility located outside Salt Lake City, Utah, is strategically co-located at US Magnesium LLC (US Mag) operations, where it extracts lithium from a byproduct magnesium chloride/lithium chloride brine resulting from historic magnesium production. IBAT’s innovative modular Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) system, which currently occupies approximately one acre, is actively producing and supplying lithium chloride to US Mag. As the next phase of development, IBAT plans to enhance production capacity by adding more columns to the existing DLE modular platform, aiming for a substantial increase in output to meet rising demand and optimize resource utilization.

This milestone represents the culmination of over four decades of John's pioneering work in lithium extraction, highlighted by his invention of the first lithium absorbent. This absorbent was pivotal in the establishment of the world’s first Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) plant at Hombre Muerto in Argentina for FMC Technologies, a facility that has been in continuous production since 1998.

This breakthrough is poised to revolutionize the lithium industry due to several advantages of IBAT's patented technology. The modular design enables a swift market entry, with lithium production commencing approximately 18 months after construction begins, significantly faster than the 5-7 years required for traditional DLE plants.

Additionally, the technology boasts low capital and operational costs, making it one of the most cost-effective solutions in the industry. Its scalable and agile nature allows for installation at diverse lithium brine resources worldwide, including active or inactive oil and gas formations. Expansion is easily achieved by adding modules, ensuring flexibility and efficiency.

IBAT's DLE technology delivers high-quality lithium by selectively extracting lithium ions via absorption with a proprietary crystal structure, yielding a Lithium-Chloride solution with the purity needed for battery-grade Lithium production. Independent verification by SLR and Mehos Consulting confirms that the technology can extract over 97% of available lithium from Smackover brine. Additionally, the technology is sustainable, as it uses a proprietary absorbent that does not require chemicals during extraction. It extracts lithium from brine sources and returns the lithium-depleted