Gradiant Spins Out New Company alkaLi to Accelerate Lithium Production
Gradiant, a global provider of advanced water and wastewater treatment solutions, has announced the creation of alkaLi, a new standalone company focused on accelerating the production of battery-grade lithium. alkaLi will leverage EC(2), the world's only all-in-one solution designed to Extract, Concentrate, and Convert lithium efficiently.
EC(2) offers a rapid production process, significantly reducing operational and capital expenses, and boasts an environmentally friendly footprint. The system is versatile, capable of handling various source inputs, including brine, evaporation, and recycling. It can be deployed as a complete solution or in standalone stages, integrating with existing infrastructure and enhancing production with SmartOps AI. Field-tested and proven commercially with SLB in 2023, EC(2) allows for a zero CAPEX business model where alkaLi builds, owns, and operates the solution.
Gradiant's COO, Prakash Govindan, emphasized the urgency of scaling lithium production to meet global demand driven by electric vehicles and energy storage systems. "We must accelerate the scale of production solutions, and it is for this reason that we will spin out alkaLi, a completely independent company with a dedicated focus on maximizing the production efficiency of battery-grade lithium," he said.
Siva Kumar Kota, Head of Technology at Gradiant, highlighted the technological advancements behind EC(2), particularly the RO Infinity with Counter-Flow Reverse Osmosis (CFRO) technology, which operates with lower energy and water demands and minimal environmental impact.
alkaLi’s EC(2) system sets new industry standards in three stages:
- Extraction: Utilizes synthesized resins and novel membranes for optimized lithium extraction, achieving high efficiency and producing a rich lithium stream.
- Concentration: Employs Gradiant's CFRO technology to maximize efficiency, reducing energy consumption compared to traditional thermal processes.
- Conversion: The concentrated lithium is precipitated into solid form to produce battery-grade lithium carbonate or lithium hydroxide.
alkaLi is currently seeking new customer partnerships to implement this innovative technology.
