Nobian has partnered with Veolia to accelerate the commercialisation of a newly patented process that converts lithium chloride into lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LHM) – a vital component in lithium-ion battery production.
The process, which uses electrolysis and crystallisation, was successfully validated by Veolia at its advanced HPD Research, Development and Piloting facility in Plainfield, Illinois.
The collaboration aims to integrate Nobian’s lithium conversion technology into Veolia’s HPD crystallisation systems, creating a scalable and commercially viable solution. By leveraging existing chlor-alkali infrastructure in the Netherlands and Germany, the process offers a cost-effective route to expand lithium production while reducing environmental impact.
Following the testing phase, Nobian and Veolia will engage strategic partners across the lithium value chain – including suppliers, technology providers, customers and licensees –to support the development of a sustainable European battery ecosystem.
Coert van Lare, director innovation program renewable and circular at Nobian, said, “With our lithium conversion process, Nobian plans to contribute to the growing global demand for affordable and low-carbon lithium-based batteries. This collaboration with Veolia strengthens the European battery value chain and contributes to the optimal use of critical raw materials. Additionally, we are ready to license our technology globally. The collaboration with such a reliable and globally recognised partner as Veolia allows us to advance our lithium conversion technology.”
Image: L-R: Coert van Lare, director innovation program renewable and circular (Nobian), Markus Mingenbach, senior vice president Chlor-Alkali & Chloromethanes (Nobian), Mark Boone, executive vice president and managing director of Evaporation/Crystallization Business Unit (Veolia), Jim Rieke, vice president Process Engineering (Veolia). © Nobian
