CleanTech Lithium PLC (AIM:CTL, OTCQX:CTLHF) said it has chosen an adsorbent produced by Lanshen in China for the pilot plant at its R&D centre in Chile.
Tests on the Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) process to be used at the plant showed that brine from Cleantech’s Laguna Verde project produced “very positive results across adsorbent capacity, lithium recovery rates, and eluate composition”.
DLE process trials were carried out with a multitude of adsorbent suppliers, from emerging technologies to established petrochemical companies, both at supplier facilities and at the company´s dedicated DLE testing laboratory in Antofagasta, Chile.
This process test work led to the selection of an adsorbent supplied by Lanshen for the pilot plant testing.
Cleantech said that the pilot plant has now been filled with Lanshen adsorbent and is in the latter stages of commissioning.
Lanshen is a global leader in DLE and has signed an agreement with Koch Industries to distribute its adsorbent exclusively for Koch´s DLE process in the North American and European markets, noted the statement.
Aldo Boitano, CleanTech Lithium chief executive, commented: "The DLE sector is rapidly evolving, we are seeing developments from several companies all around the world to advance the production of lithium.
“Informed by the results we have announced today, our DLE pilot plant has now been loaded with Lanshen's adsorbent, and plant commissioning is in process.
“This is a significant milestone for the company as we aim to achieve process and product verification in 2024."