Alkemy Capital partners with Veolia to develop lithium refinery at Teesside, UK

LONDON: Alkemy Capital Investments plc (LSE: ALK), owner of Tees Valley Lithium (TVL), has announced a partnership with Veolia Water Technologies Inc. to develop TVL’s first lithium hydroxide refinery train at Teesside, UK.

Veolia brings its extensive expertise in lithium processing, including contributions to various lithium hydroxide production facilities, to support TVL’s goal of delivering battery-grade lithium hydroxide.

The collaboration will employ advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and digital twin technologies to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and minimize operational risks while adhering to industry standards. Veolia’s track record in lithium processing will enhance TVL’s project capabilities, and the integration of AI and digital twin technologies aims to set new benchmarks for lithium refining in the UK and Europe.

Veolia will provide technical support for TVL’s Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) study, led by global lithium specialist Wave International, with a focus on modular engineering solutions for a cost-effective and scalable operation to supply the growing EV market in the UK and Europe.

TVL’s established feedstock deal with Wogen ensures a reliable raw material supply.

Paul Atherley, Chairman of Alkemy, said that this collaboration with Veolia strengthens their position as a leader in the European lithium refining market. He highlighted Veolia’s expertise and technologies in ensuring a reliable, cost-effective lithium supply chain for Europe’s growing EV sector. Mark Boone, Veolia Water Technologies Inc. Vice President, expressed excitement over contributing their expertise to the TVL project, supporting Europe’s efforts to secure essential minerals and drive the decarbonization of transportation, aligning perfectly with their GreenUp strategic plan. Ryan Hanrahan, CEO of Wave International, noted that the combined experience of the Veolia and Wave teams would help TVL deliver a robust and de-risked FEED ahead of the Final Investment Decision (FID), and looked forward to collaborating on the process technology package.

The collaboration focuses on process validation and optimization for high efficiency and quality, leveraging AI and digital twin tools for lithium refining excellence, adopting a modular engineering approach for scalability and efficiency, and delivering milestones for a smooth transition to construction and production. With Veolia’s support, TVL is set to complete its FEED study and proceed to construction and production, marking a significant step toward establishing a sustainable lithium refining operation in the UK.

Alkemy Capital and Syrah Resources to develop UK’s first graphite anode plant