A new lithium processing company being set up at Teesside Freeport aims to supply 15% of European demand within the decade, according to its new chief executive. Lithium is a key material used in batteries and other new energy technologies.
John Walker, a 30-year veteran of the mining and mineral process industries, has taken over as chief executive at Tees Valley Lithium, a company set up just six months ago by Alkemy Capital Investments. He said, “We are looking to establish world class lithium hydroxide production in the Wilton International Chemicals Park in the Teesside Freeport to supply the burgeoning demand from gigafactories in the UK and Europe.
“Currently China processes 90% of the world’s Lithium Hydroxide. Tees Valley will import high value intermediate lithium products with a low carbon footprint from around the world and provide customers in the UK and Europe with an independent and sustainable supply of battery-grade lithium hydroxide.
“Tees Valley Lithium is aiming to supply 15% of Europe’s demand by 2030. We are pleased to be bringing back high value manufacturing to the UK and securing the critical minerals for our journey to Net Zero.”
On 25 February Alkemy signed a six-month exclusivity agreement with Sembcorp Energy UK for land to house the processing plant. The 20 acre plot will have an initial capacity of 24kt per annum of lithium hydroxide, to be sold into energy storage markets.
Construction of the plant at Wilton International, within the Teesside freeport zone, is expected to begin during 2022. The plant is anticipated to be operational in late 2023, supporting 500 jobs during construction and 250 when in operation. Sembcorp said it had the ability to provide ‘plug and play’ infrastructure at Wilton International and “Tees Valley Lithium will have the electricity, steam and water they need as soon as they are operational”.