Standard Lithium has installed a commercial-scale Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) column at its demonstration plant in El Dorado, Arkansas, marking a significant step towards enhancing its lithium extraction processes. This initiative is part of the company’s efforts to test and validate the commercial application of its LiPRO Lithium Selective Sorption (LSS) technology, supplied by Koch Technology Solutions, LLC (KTS).
The newly installed column is integral to the company’s strategy for its upcoming projects in Phase 1A and South West Arkansas, aiming to confirm the scalability and efficiency of the LiPRO LSS technology for broader commercial use. With commissioning slated for later this month, extensive performance testing under the guidance of Standard Lithium and KTS specialists is anticipated in the forthcoming period.
Dr. Andy Robinson, Standard Lithium’s Director, President & COO, highlighted the installation as a critical de-risking milestone, underscoring the commitment to validating and refining the technology ahead of commercial deployment. The company’s demonstration plant, the only large-scale DLE facility in continuous operation in North America since May 2020, has been pivotal in replicating commercial-scale operational dynamics and optimizing the lithium extraction process.
Recent technical assessments of the plant have demonstrated a lithium recovery efficiency of 95.9% and significant rejection rates of key contaminants, evidencing the process’s efficacy. With over 8,585 operational cycles completed to date, this development underscores Standard Lithium’s ongoing efforts to advance lithium extraction technology, reinforcing its position in the lithium production industry. 
