Salt and chemicals company Nobian has published a patent application for a new process to sustainably produce lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LHM). LHM is an important battery feedstock. The new process converts lithium chloride into lithium hydroxide for use in batteries. By using existing chlor-alkali electrolysis, less investment is needed. Moreover, the operational costs and environmental footprint are significantly lower than traditional lithium hydroxide production methods.
Lithium has a high energy density and is a critical raw material for battery production. With the electrification of transport and the increasing need to store renewable energy, the demand for lithium batteries in Europe is growing rapidly. To meet this, it is important to scale up lithium-based battery production in Europe. Currently, Europe still faces a shortage of accessible and affordable lithium, as well as a lack of production capacity to convert the lithium for use in batteries.
Sustainable battery production
Nobian's innovative lithium chloride conversion process aims to support Europe's lithium supply and production capacity. The new process converts lithium-containing brine (a highly concentrated solution of salt in water) into lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LHM) through controlled crystallisation and electrolysis. This process uses Nobian's existing chlor-alkali infrastructure and production facilities. It is more efficient and sustainable than traditional methods, leading to lower investment and operational costs.
Chemicals lithium battery
Nobian has decades of experience in salt production, inorganic chemistry and electrolysis, all key competences for the development of battery chemicals. Nobian currently produces several battery raw materials, including salt, caustic soda and chlorine. Based on more than 100 years of experience and its existing infrastructure in Europe, the company has developed a new lithium chloride conversion process specifically for lithium-based batteries. The new process uses existing chlor-alkali electrolyzers. This makes production cheaper and more environmentally friendly.
Battery value chain
Coert van Lare, director Innovation Programme Sustainable and Circular at Nobian : "With our new patent application for the production of lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LHM), we want to support the sustainable and efficient production of this important battery raw material. Nobian already plays an important role in the battery value chain by supplying essential chemicals. The new process complements and builds on our capabilities and expertise. By using our energy-efficient and circular process, we can significantly reduce the cost and carbon footprint and reduce dependence on foreign raw materials."
High-quality battery raw materials lithium battery
Marco Waas, Chief Technology and Sustainability Officer at Nobian : "Nobian is committed to being a key player in the production of battery raw materials. Our certified green products guarantee high-quality battery raw materials with minimal environmental impact. We support sustainable battery technologies by providing a reliable and significantly more efficient method of producing battery raw materials. Our new lithium chloride conversion process strengthens the European lithium battery value chain and responds to the growing demand for lithium hydroxide in Europe. This development is fully in line with our Grow Greener Together sustainability strategy."
Technology development and scale-up
The new lithium chloride conversion process has been successfully tested at pilot scale in collaboration with a global, renowned engineering company active in lithium plant construction, confirming its potential. The next step is to scale up the process to commercial production. Nobian is in talks with European and global suppliers to source lithium chloride. Several parties in the lithium value chain are showing interest. The company is also looking for investors to scale up production capacity to meet the growing demand for LHM. Although the focus is on Europe, Nobian is open to licensing its technology and cooperation globally.
Source and photo: Nobian
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About Nobian
Nobian is a European market leader in the production of salt, essential chemicals and storage caverns. We excel in the safe and reliable supply of high-quality salt, chlor-alkali, chloromethane and hydrogen, thanks to our integrated value chain with modern production sites in the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark. Nobian produces and processes salt required for essential everyday products, such as textiles, pharmaceuticals and disinfectants. It is also used in products that are vital to the energy transition, such as insulation materials, batteries, electric cars, wind turbines and solar panels.
