Veolia, via its subsidiary Veolia Water Technologies, has signed a contract with POSCO Lithium Solution (POSCO Holdings) to design and deliver an integrated conversion system featuring its high purification and HPD® crystallization technology, a key process used in the refining of battery material salts1 required for the manufacture of advanced electric batteries. With an annual production capacity of 25,000 tonnes, the facility will supply enough quality lithium to design around 600,000 electric vehicle batteries.
The lithium market is growing rapidly, particularly in terms of demand for lithium hydroxide, produced from lithium carbonate and used in high-density, high-capacity batteries.
As the world's second-largest producer of batteries for electric vehicles, South Korea aims to develop domestic production of lithium hydroxide, a key component in the production of lithium-ion batteries.
As the world leader in water technologies, Veolia has cutting-edge HPD® crystallization technology for converting lithium carbonate into lithium hydroxide, which it is using to support South Korea's ambitions in the transition to cleaner mobility. This advanced technology will make the production process more sustainable and water-efficient. The patented chemical conversion maximizes reuse of the condensate generated, with a recovery rate of over 94%, significantly reducing the water footprint of the industrial process.
"As the world leader in lithium evaporation and crystallization technologies, Veolia plays a central role in this strategic market, essential to the development of sustainable mobility. From the technological treatment of lithium to the recovery of battery materials during the recycling process, Veolia will now share its unique industrial and technological know-how with POSCO Lithium Solution to optimize the amount of lithium hydroxide recovered while minimizing the amount of water used in battery production " said Estelle Brachlianoff, Estelle Brachlianoff, CEO of Veolia.
