KBR has secured a contract from Weardale Lithium Limited to support the development of one of Europe’s most advanced lithium brine extraction demonstration plants in Eastgate, County Durham, UK. The facility is designed to scale up to a commercial production target of 10,000 tons per annum in the coming years, producing battery-grade lithium carbonate from geothermal groundwater sourced from existing production wells.

Under the agreement, KBR will provide technology licensing and proprietary engineering design for the plant. The engineering design integrates KBR’s PureLi® technology with Geolith SAS’ Li-Capt® Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technology. This combination has already demonstrated success at the pilot scale, efficiently extracting high-purity lithium carbonate from Weardale Lithium’s brine resources.

KBR emphasized the project’s role in addressing the rising demand for lithium, a crucial element for electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy storage. “Our collaboration with Weardale Lithium reflects a shared commitment to providing sustainable solutions for overcoming global lithium supply chain challenges and advancing the energy transition,” said Jay Ibrahim, President of KBR Sustainable Technology Solutions.

Stewart Dickson, CEO of Weardale Lithium, highlighted the project’s economic and strategic importance. “We’re pleased to commence engineering design for our demonstration plant, with the first battery-grade lithium carbonate expected by early 2026,” he stated. “This initiative, recognized in the UK Government’s Critical Minerals Strategy, will play a vital role in the UK’s transition to a net-zero economy and contribute over £1 billion to the North East England economy.”

Jean-Philippe Gibaud, President and Founder of Geolith SAS, emphasized the sustainability of the Li-Capt technology. “We are pleased to see our DLE Li-Capt technology implemented alongside KBR’s PureLi technology at the Weardale Lithium facility. Our method ensures highly selective lithium extraction with low carbon and water usage, making it an environmentally responsible solution.”

KBR brings extensive expertise in the recovery and purification of critical minerals, with over seven decades of experience in evaporation and crystallization technologies. The company’s processes are designed to comply with evolving environmental regulations, further reinforcing its commitment to sustainable lithium production.

With the demand for lithium surging due to the rapid growth of EVs and renewable energy storage solutions, the Weardale Lithium project represents a major step forward in securing a domestic supply of this critical mineral. By integrating cutting-edge extraction technologies, the project aims to establish the UK as a key player in sustainable lithium production while supporting economic growth and energy security.

KBR provides science, technology, and engineering solutions to governments and businesses globally. With a workforce of approximately 37,000 employees, the company serves customers in over 80 countries and operates in more than 30 countries.