Wave Lithium Develops Cost-Effective Lithium Refining Technology in Brazil
Wave Lithium aims to refine lithium at 50% lower costs compared to China, targeting the growing battery market. This initiative could diversify lithium production sources, reducing reliance on China's monopoly in the sector.
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Wave Lithium, part of New Wave, is developing a lithium refining project in Brazil to produce hydroxide and carbonate for battery manufacture. The company is establishing a pilot plant expected to be operational by September, costing R$ 25 million, and will utilize a novel microwave technology for processing spodumene.
This facility will handle 4 tons per hour and is designed to process a total of 20,000 tons of lithium ore annually. Currently, Brazil's lithium refining capacity is limited, with the Companhia Brasileira do Lítio (CBL) operating a small plant.
The anticipated cost for refining by Wave Lithium is around US$ 1,800 per ton, significantly lower than the US$ 6,000 per ton in China, which currently accounts for 94% of global lithium refining. Wave Lithium plans to scale up to an industrial plant by 2027, with a capacity of 250,000 tons per year, contributing to a more competitive lithium supply chain. Potential investors are being sought to support these developments.
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