Wedoany.com Report-Jun 26, Gradiant’s alkaLi division has announced plans to design, build, own, and operate a lithium production facility in the Marcellus Shale formation in Pennsylvania. This project is set to be the world’s first facility to produce lithium from oilfield-produced water, utilizing alkaLi’s proprietary Extract, Concentrate, and Convert (EC²) technology to produce battery-grade lithium carbonate.

The facility is currently undergoing testing, with impressive results including 97% lithium recovery and 99.5% purity levels for battery-grade lithium carbonate.

The EC² platform, successfully introduced in 2024, achieves at least 95% lithium recovery at customer sites. The patented process integrates direct lithium extraction, concentration, and conversion into a single system, offering up to 50% lower capital and operational costs. Its modular design enables rapid global deployment, with AI-optimized performance and reduced environmental impact, accommodating various feedwater sources. The Pennsylvania facility’s vertically integrated approach aims to ensure a stable domestic lithium supply and minimize project delays.

Currently in the testing phase, the facility has demonstrated 97% lithium recovery and 99.5% purity levels for battery-grade lithium carbonate. Full commercial operations are scheduled to begin in early 2026. The project is strategically positioned to meet significant U.S. lithium demand, potentially supplying up to 50% of the nation’s needs.

Anurag Bajpayee, CEO of Gradiant, stated: “We now have a fully operational lithium production asset in the US that proves what EC² can deliver. This isn’t a concept – it is a live facility demonstrating that clean, domestic lithium production is both viable and scalable. Our goal isn’t to compete with customers, but to empower them – and the broader industry – to meet surging demand for battery-grade lithium and accelerate the clean energy transition. This strategic investment in the Marcellus Shale, which could supply 50% of US lithium demand, validates the maturity of alkaLi’s technology and secures a long-term domestic supply.”

alkaLi has secured a multi-year offtake agreement to supply a U.S. lithium-ion battery manufacturer with up to 5,000 tonnes of battery-grade lithium carbonate annually, highlighting strong market demand and the commercial viability of its technology. The company offers flexible partnership models, including deploying EC² solutions to lithium producers, building and managing integrated systems, and producing and selling lithium from its own assets. This initiative underscores alkaLi’s commitment to advancing sustainable lithium production to support the growing clean energy sector.