Gradiant’s alkaLi To Launch First Fully Integrated Lithium Plant In US From Oilfield Water

KUALA LUMPUR, June 25 (Bernama) -- Gradiant, a global water and resource recovery firm, announced it will design, build, own, and operate the world’s first fully integrated lithium production facility utilising oilfield produced water in the Marcellus Shale Formation, Pennsylvania, United States (US).

The facility, developed through Gradiant’s lithium platform alkaLi, will implement the company’s proprietary Extract, Concentrate, and Convert (EC²) technology to produce battery-grade lithium carbonate. The process integrates direct lithium extraction, concentration, and final conversion in a single streamlined system.

“This is not a concept—it is a live facility demonstrating that clean, domestic lithium production is both viable and scalable.

“This strategic investment in the Marcellus Shale, which could supply 50 per cent of US lithium demand, validates the maturity of alkaLi’s technology and secures a long-term domestic supply,” said Gradiant chief executive officer, Anurag Bajpayee in a statement.

Gradiant said the project marks a major milestone in US critical mineral production, offering a minimum guaranteed 95 per cent lithium recovery. Initial testing has demonstrated lithium recovery rates of 97 per cent and purity levels reaching 99.5 per cent, with full commercial operations on track by early 2026.

The vertically integrated model—covering equipment, land, water and mineral rights, and permits—enables alkaLi to avoid the permitting and ownership delays that typically affect critical mineral developments.

In a major commercial breakthrough, alkaLi signed a multi-year offtake agreement with a US-based lithium-ion battery manufacturer. Under the agreement, up to 5,000 metric tonnes of battery-grade lithium carbonate will be supplied annually for use in electric vehicles and energy storage systems.

The EC² platform offers up to 50 per cent lower capital and operating costs compared to conventional methods, while its modular and artificial intelligence-optimised design enables rapid deployment and real-time system control.

The technology also supports multiple feedwater sources, including geothermal brines and recycled batteries, positioning it as a flexible solution for future clean energy supply chains.

-- BERNAMA