Demand for lithium for this year is expected to be 910,000 tons, it is known as lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) and around half of all lithium is mined in Australia. Most of it can be found in Western Australia and shipped to China in its raw form known as spodumene, which is consisting about 60% lithium. It is a critical battery metal and it is getting tighter because for the need of battery for the electric vehicles.
According Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, who is tracking the global battery supply chain, is estimating by 2030 around 2.7 million tons of LCE will be needed annually. There can be a shortage of 300,000 tons.
Tees Valley Lithium, a U.K. company is investing in a lithium-sulfate refining facility in Australia. It plans to construct a lithium-hydroxide refinery in the north of England to produce by mid-2025.
Alkemy Capital Investments plc (LON:ALK, FRA: JV2) is focussed on developing projects in the energy transition metals sector. Alkemy’s wholly-owned subsidiary Tees Valley Lithium (TVL) is developing a state of the art lithium hydroxide plant at Teesside, UK. TVL is Europe’s largest independent and sustainable lithium hydroxide producer.