American Resources Corp (NASDAQ:AREC) told investors that its portfolio company ReElement Technologies has filed a new patent application aimed at turning lithium-bearing brines into ultra-high-purity, battery-grade lithium products, positioning the technology as a complement to fast-growing direct lithium extraction (DLE) methods.
The company, in an announcement, said the patent focuses on the separation and purification step after lithium has been extracted and concentrated, arguing that ReElement’s chromatography-based platform can slot into DLE process flows to improve overall efficiency, reduce costs and lift final product purity.
Chief executive Mark Jensen said the intent is to work alongside, rather than compete with, upstream DLE operators:
"We believe supply chain challenges must be solved through innovation - not imitation," Jensen commented.
"Our platform brings meaningful advancement to the separation and purification segment of the supply chain, where geopolitical concentration has historically created vulnerability. By complementing upstream technologies like DLE, we are building a stronger, more resilient, and economically competitive domestic rare earth and critical mineral ecosystem."
ReElement noted that the filing is its eighth next-generation patent application, as it continues building an intellectual property portfolio around modular refining technologies for lithium and other critical minerals.