Gradiant, a global water and resource recovery innovator, has announced the world’s first fully integrated lithium production facility using oilfield produced water, through its lithium platform alkaLi. The announcement marks a major milestone in sustainable lithium extraction from unconventional sources.
Located in the Marcellus Shale Formation of Pennsylvania, the facility is currently undergoing testing and is expected to begin commercial operations in early 2026. The site utilizes alkaLi’s patented Extract, Concentrate, and Convert (EC²) process, achieving lithium recovery rates of 97% and battery-grade purity of 99.5%.
The Pennsylvania site could ultimately provide up to 50% of U.S. lithium demand
The project is also a model of vertical integration. alkaLi owns the plant, equipment, land, water and mineral rights, and permits—eliminating common delays in critical mineral projects and securing a long-term domestic lithium supply.
“We now have a fully operational lithium production asset in the U.S. that proves what EC² can deliver,” said Anurag Bajpayee, CEO of Gradiant. “This isn’t a concept—it’s a live facility demonstrating that clean, domestic lithium production is both viable and scalable.”
alkaLi’s EC² system combines Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE), concentration, and final conversion in a single process. The platform significantly reduces capital and operating costs—by up to 50%—and is designed for modular deployment and AI-driven optimization. Its versatility allows use of feedwater from oilfields, geothermal brines, or battery recycling streams.
A long-term offtake agreement has already been secured with a U.S.-based lithium-ion battery manufacturer, covering up to 5,000 tonnes per year. According to Gradiant, the Pennsylvania site could ultimately provide up to 50% of U.S. lithium demand, underscoring its importance to the country’s energy transition goals.
