Standard Lithium and Equinor Secure Up to $225 Million from U.S. Department of Energy for Arkansas Lithium Project

Standard Lithium, a near-commercial lithium development company, and Equinor, a global energy leader, have announced that their joint U.S. subsidiary, SWA Lithium, has been selected for a potential $225 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). This award, part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, is aimed at expanding domestic manufacturing of battery supply chain segments and critical minerals production in the U.S. The funding is contingent on successful final negotiations with the DOE.

The $225 million will support the construction of the Central Processing Facility (CPF) for Phase 1 of the South West Arkansas project, which aims to produce 22,500 tonnes of battery-quality lithium carbonate annually using Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technology. The project, located in Lafayette and Columbia Counties, Arkansas, will create up to 300 construction jobs and 100 direct jobs. Over time, the project is expected to expand to produce 45,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate per year, doubling its initial output.

Standard Lithium owns 55% of the project, while Equinor holds 45%. The project's Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) and Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) are currently underway to support this ambitious expansion.

David Park, CEO of Standard Lithium, emphasized that the government’s investment demonstrates strong support for domestic lithium production, validating the project's importance in securing a sustainable supply chain for critical minerals. Allison Thurmond, Vice President of U.S. Lithium at Equinor, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the role of lithium in America's energy transition and the strength of the partnership between Standard Lithium and Equinor.