Lithium extraction might have just had a major breakthrough. And one of the wealthiest families in the United States of America is behind it.

‍What’s happening:‍

  • Standard Lithium (NYSE: SLI) has successfully validated the the performance of the largest continuously operational Direct Lithium Extraction equipment in North America

Why it matters:‍

  • The Direct Lithium Extraction column technology being used at Standard Lithium’s demonstration plant is built by Koch Technology Solutions, which is owned by Koch Engineered Solutions

By the numbers:‍

  • Over a 2 week period of testing, the Li-Pro LSS column achieved an average lithium recovery of 97.3% from the incoming brine flow while simultaneously rejecting 99% of containments such as sodium, calcium, magnesium and potassium
  • The full size commercial Li-Pro LSS column has completed over 86 operational cycles at Standard Lithium’s demonstration plant in Arkansas

Going deeper:‍

  • Standard Lithium has publicly stated that this is the only commercial scale Direct Lithium Extraction column that is currently operating anywhere in North America

The intrigue:‍

  • Koch Strategic Platforms, a subsidiary of Koch Investments Group, previously invested $100M USD into Standard Lithium

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