Aquatech purchases Koch's Direct Lithium Extraction business, merging Li-ProTM DLE technology into the PEARLTM Technology Platform.
Aquatech, a leading technology company, has made a significant move in the lithium industry by acquiring the direct lithium extraction (DLE) business of Koch Technology Solutions (KTS). This acquisition includes the rights to the Li-Pro™ Lithium Selective Sorption (LSS) technology and an extensive Li-Pro intellectual property portfolio.
The Li-Pro technology and IP have been integrated into Aquatech's PEARL™ process technology platform. This integration addresses a key issue in the lithium industry by offering the only proven full flowsheet solution for both upstream and downstream lithium processing technology.
The South West Arkansas project, one of the largest lithium projects in the US, is among those that will benefit from this acquisition. With an initial phase of 22,500 tons per annum (tpa) of lithium carbonate equivalent targeting first production in 2028, and significant scope for future expansion, the project is set to make a significant contribution to the lithium market.
In a joint development agreement with Standard Lithium Ltd., Koch Technology Solutions' role was previously transferred to Aquatech. This includes over 12,000 operational cycles using Li-Pro technology at their demonstration plant and an average lithium recovery of over 95%.
Aquatech is excited to evolve Li-Pro LSS as both a standalone technology offering and as part of the PEARL platform. With its 45 years of experience in scaling commercially proven technologies, the company is well-positioned to leverage the Li-Pro technology to its full potential.
The acquisition adds direct lithium extraction to Aquatech's extensive process flowsheet IP, lithium conversion, and crystallization capabilities. All ongoing lithium extraction projects utilizing Li-Pro technology and associated licenses, agreements, and performance guarantees have been transferred to Aquatech.
Li-Pro LSS will be available under technology license as part of the PEARL full flowsheet licensing offerings. This makes Aquatech's PEARL platform the only commercially proven, end-to-end flowsheet solution for lithium processing, delivering high-purity battery materials for electric vehicles (EV) and utility-scale electricity storage systems (ESS).
Venkee Sharma, Executive Chairman at Aquatech, stated that fragmented technology offerings in the lithium industry have hindered the production of critical minerals in the Americas and Europe. This acquisition is a significant step towards addressing this issue and strengthening Aquatech's position in the lithium industry.
Mr. Sharma welcomed the KTS Li-Pro team to Aquatech and commended them on their pioneering work in developing the Li-Pro LSS technology. Koch Technology Solutions maintains an active interest in the success of the Li-Pro technology through investments in relevant companies in the lithium minerals and lithium battery industries.
A licensing agreement with Smackover Lithium, a joint venture between Standard Lithium and Equinor, for the first phase of its South West Arkansas project has also been transferred to Aquatech. This acquisition marks a significant milestone for Aquatech as it continues to expand its footprint in the lithium industry.
