The UK’s first large-scale lithium refinery has been approved for Teesside.
Green Lithium has received planning permission for the 58-acre development which will support 1,200 jobs in its construction and create 250 full-time roles once operational.
Bosses say the facility – on PD Ports’ Teesport site – will provide much-needed support to the automotive and battery manufacturing industries in the UK and the EU, as the demand for lithium processing capabilities increases due to the global shift to electric vehicles (EVs).
“I am thrilled we have been granted permission to set up a lithium refinery at the Teesport site, which we believe is an ideal location for producing low-carbon and environmentally-friendly lithium,” said Green Lithium CEO Sean Sargent.
“The refinery will have an annual production capacity of 50,000 tonnes of battery-grade lithium chemicals, which will help meet the growing demand in Europe.
.Green Lithium says it is committed to establishing leading environmental, social, and governance credentials, including by reducing its carbon footprint and emissions.
The refinery in Teesside will use low-energy processes, renewable electricity, hydrogen gas, and carbon capture technology to achieve a 75% lower carbon footprint than traditional refineries.
The plant will also use a non-acid leach process that has low environmental impact, making it a sustainable and low-carbon refining process.
Green Lithium’s aim is to set higher environmental standards within the industry and support the acceleration of the adoption of EVs and sustainable energy storage.
The success of Europe’s battery energy, storage, and automotive sectors depends on localised supply, which Green Lithium’s refinery will provide.
Nusrat Ghani, minister for the Department for Business and Trade, said: “This an exciting development and milestone on Green Lithium’s journey to deliver the UK’s first lithium refinery.
“Lithium is an essential component of batteries and a secure supply will be critical for our automotive and green energy industries.
Green Lithium submitted its planning application to Redcar and Cleveland Council in April, which was approved by the local authority last week. Green Lithium has secured £13m of funding to date and is currently raising further capital