EV Metals Group (EVM), a global battery chemicals and technology company, has entered into a frame agreement with Metso Corporation to establish a Lithium Chemicals Plant (LCP) in Yanbu Industrial City, Saudi Arabia. The agreement, signed at the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh, designates Metso as EVM’s key Technical Partner for the project.
Metso will provide comprehensive technical, operational, maintenance, and systems support for the LCP, aiming to achieve best-in-class operational performance and asset management. The collaboration will incorporate Metso’s advanced alkaline leach technology, which is being utilized in various lithium chemicals plant projects globally.
The partnership is set to play a crucial role in establishing Yanbu Industrial City as a significant midstream hub for producing high-purity chemicals essential for electric vehicle and battery cell manufacturers. Metso’s support will extend through all project phases, from initial sanctioning to steady-state operations, focusing on developing local employees’ skills and aligning with the goals of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
EVM’s CEO Luke Fitzgerald expressed that Metso is an ideal partner for processing technology and equipment, covering the entire lithium production chain from mine to battery materials. Sami Takaluoma, President of Metso’s Services business area, highlighted their commitment to providing high-quality technological expertise and sustainable solutions, along with enhancing service capabilities in the region.
Metso offers sustainable technology and equipment for processing various ore types, including critical minerals for the energy transition. Their solutions cover the entire production chain of lithium, nickel, and cobalt – from mining to battery materials and black mass recycling. Metso’s expertise encompasses extracting lithium from diverse sources to produce battery-grade lithium salts.
The technical partnership between EV Metals Group and Metso marks a significant stride in advancing lithium chemicals production, aligning with global standards for sustainable and efficient battery materials manufacturing. 
