In the global context of energy transition, rare metals - lithium in particular - play a crucial as well as paradoxical role.
Indeed, they are essential for the development of green technologies, such as batteries for electric vehicles, solar panels and wind turbines. However, their traditional extraction generates considerable environmental and social impacts. Faced with this situation, more virtuous production processes, but also recovery and recycling of these strategic materials are now required. Because it is necessary to reconcile sustainability imperatives and the growing needs of industry, notably of "gigafactories". As a leader in ecological transformation, Veolia, through its water technologies activity, positions itself at the forefront of this approach, offering innovative solutions to help industries produce lithium and other high-quality rare metals efficiently and responsibly.
Water, the main limiting factor in the lithium value chain
The issue of water in the lithium industry, from extraction to refining, has become a major challenge. Traditional lithium extraction is very water-intensive, requiring more than 1.5 million liters for each ton of lithium produced. This excessive consumption of fresh water is a critical limiting factor, particularly in arid regions where lithium deposits are often found.
million liters for each ton of lithium produced.
Faced with this challenge, new approaches are emerging to recover this precious metal. Among them is the exploitation of lithium residues present in the effluents of treatment units, a resource hitherto neglected. In addition, geothermal brines, rich in lithium, offer a promising alternative to conventional extraction. Finally, recycling of used batteries is emerging as a secondary source of lithium, helping to reduce pressure on primary resources and limit environmental impact. These innovative "mining" methods and valorization of industrial by-products pave the way for a more sustainable and environmentally friendly lithium production.
Our solutions for the production and recovery of lithium
Solutions across the entire lithium value chain
As globally recognized experts in the field of water treatment and environmental solutions, we develop and offer to players in the lithium industry tailor-made solutions adapted to their context and needs. Our innovative solutions meet the technical, regulatory and environmental challenges related to the increase in demand for superior quality lithium and components for next-generation electric batteries.
Our expertise extends from extraction from brines to recycling, including the production of battery material salts. We design and implement complete treatment plants, covering all stages of the process, from initial extraction to the finished product.
Our approach aims to maximize efficiency while minimizing environmental impact. We pay particular attention to reducing the carbon footprint and water consumption of each installation. Thanks to our leadership in lithium brine treatment technologies and chemical treatment systems, we are able to offer tailor-made solutions adapted to the specific needs of each client, producer or recycler.
Innovative technologies for lithium extraction and recycling
At the heart of the lithium treatment process, evaporation and crystallization units are determining factors, which influence yields and the quality of the final product. As a world leader in this field with its HPD® range, Veolia has developed a range of unique processes, specifically adapted to lithium treatment:
- Purification and crystallization of battery materials (lithium hydroxide, carbonate and chloride, as well as other nickel, cobalt and manganese salts);
- Recovery of lithium treatment by-products (including potassium chloride, sodium sulfate and chloride);
- Pre-treatment and concentration of lithium brine (removal of metals, softening, ion exchange, reverse osmosis, nanofiltration, evaporation);
- Battery recycling and material valorization;
- Support in the development of the lithium extraction process diagram;
- Lithium eluate concentration;
- Separation of solids and/or liquids;
- Solid handling and conditioning systems;
- Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) water treatment;
- Water recovery.
As an industrial customer, what are the benefits for you?
- You benefit from personalized advice and support, which takes into account all of your constraints, including legal and regulatory ones;
- You have access to the best technologies available on the market;
- We guarantee you a solution that maximizes lithium production yield and economic performance while minimizing the environmental impact of your process;
- You benefit from non-negotiable safety requirements.
We did it!
Japan
The new Naraha plant, a collaboration between Allkhem and Toyota TSU Corporation, transforms lithium carbonate into battery-grade lithium hydroxide monohydrate. Its annual capacity reaches 10,000 tons. The project started with a phase of testing and engineering, followed by construction and commissioning at the end of 2022. As of February 2023, the facility was operating at over 90% of its capacity, producing a high-quality material that meets the standards of the battery industry.
Australia
Covalent Lithium chose Veolia to collaborate on the Mt Holland project in Western Australia. The goal is to produce 50,000 tons of battery-grade lithium hydroxide annually. We co-developed an innovative process using spodumene as a raw material. Our HPD® technologies optimize lithium extraction, thus contributing to the transition to electric mobility. This production allows one million thermal vehicles to be replaced by electric models.
Argentina
Veolia was selected by Eramet, a global mining and metallurgical group, to provide critical concentration and purification technologies for the lithium brine for the Centenario-Ratones mining project in Salta, Argentina. The project will use a new direct lithium extraction (DLE) process, developed by Eramet and made possible by Veolia technologies, which uses extraction, concentration and purification to extract lithium. This new process increases lithium yield to over 90% and speeds up the production process to just a few hours. In comparison, conventional extraction methods that rely on solar evaporation produce a significantly lower yield with a production time of 12 to 24 months.
United States of America
Li-Cycle chose us for its battery recycling project in Rochester, NY. This plant will process the equivalent of 225,000 electric vehicle batteries annually. Our HPD crystallization technology will be used to transform materials recovered from lithium-ion batteries.
South Korea
Veolia is collaborating with POSCO Lithium Solution in Gwangyang to produce battery-grade lithium hydroxide. The facility, with an annual capacity of 25,000 tons, will provide lithium for approximately 600,000 electric vehicle batteries. Veolia brings its HPD® crystallization technology to convert lithium carbonate into hydroxide, supporting South Korea's ambitions in the transition to cleaner mobility. The patented process maximizes the reuse of condensate, thus significantly reducing the water footprint. This collaboration strengthens Veolia's role in the development of sustainable mobility.