British Lithium Limited said it has filed two more patents as it ramps up activity for the next stage of operational development at its Cornwall-based pilot plant.
The company, which was recently awarded a £2mln grant from the government-backed Automotive Transformation Fund to help fund development over the next 18 months, has been producing 99.9% pure battery-grade lithium carbonate at its plant since January.
After five years of extensive research into the most sustainable and economic process for recovering lithium from the unconventional lithium mica granites found across northern Europe, it has submitted the new patents to the UK’s Intellectual Property Office (IPO), adding to its growing list of patents.
The patents cover unique production methods for high-purity lithium carbonate and high-purity lithium hydroxide, which British Lithium has developed during test work at the plant.
“We have spent 5 years developing our LiMica-Sep technology for sustainably concentrating the mica without use of chemicals, and Li-Sep technology for extracting and refining the lithium,” said chief executive Andrew Smith.
“We currently have five British and three international patents pending, with more to follow.
“Patenting our technology is important because it ensures our freedom to operate and protects our shareholders’ considerable investment.”
The company said its next step is to lodge the patents internationally.