#Japan #Tokyo #lithium extraction #Evove Ltd #Kurita Corp

Kurita Corporation's Investment in Evove Ltd.

On October 7, 2023, Kurita Corporation, headquartered in Nakano, Tokyo, completed an investment in British technology firm Evove Ltd., becoming its largest shareholder. This strategic partnership allows Kurita to acquire global exclusive rights to Evove's groundbreaking DLE (Direct Lithium Extraction) technology, which will foster collaboration between the two companies.

As the world moves toward decarbonization, there is a marked shift towards electric and hybrid vehicles, alongside a growing demand for renewable energy storage solutions. This shift has led to a significant increase in the usage and need for lithium-ion batteries, pulling lithium supply into sharp focus. Concerns regarding the stability of lithium supply have arisen, prompting the development of new methods to enhance global lithium production beyond traditional techniques that rely on lithium ore and brine extraction from South American salt flats. Evove's DLE technology, which minimizes water usage and CO2 emissions, succeeds by extracting lithium from geothermal brines, garnering considerable interest.

Leveraging its over 70 years of expertise and knowledge in water treatment, Kurita has been researching potential new business opportunities related to DLE technology, believing that it can contribute to reducing the environmental footprint of industries utilizing battery supply chains. Kurita identified Evove's unique DLE technology, which employs NF membranes and ion-exchange resins for high-concentration lithium extraction, as particularly promising.

Starting in 2024, Kurita will collaborate with Evove to evaluate the DLE technology and conduct market research. This initiative will exploit Kurita's engineering capabilities, including providing ultra-pure water systems and wastewater recovery modules for the electronics industry. A pilot plant operated by Evove using actual raw water has confirmed the economic feasibility of lithium recovery rates and purity, validating the venture.

In the pursuit of commercializing DLE plants, both companies have reached an agreement on Kurita's investment and the exclusive rights to Evove's DLE technology. The aim is to enhance and optimize this technology to scale up DLE plants, utilizing Kurita's engineering excellence, particularly the EP+ module model, which allows streamlined design and manufacturing processes. This will lead to shorter construction times and space efficiency, alongside plans for maintenance services, as part of a broader new business initiative targeting the launch of a DLE plant sales structure by 2027.

Kurita has also engaged in a significant partnership with Northern Lithium Ltd., a UK-based mining development firm, which will participate in a DLE plant construction project previously validated by a pilot with Evove.

Looking Ahead

Kurita Corporation remains committed to utilizing its comprehensive knowledge of water to deliver innovative solutions and create value for customers and society, striving continually toward a sustainable future. For more information about Evove Ltd. and its advanced technologies in liquid filtration, separation, and industrial water treatment, please visit their official website.

Notes:

• - EV and HV denote Electric Vehicles and Hybrid Vehicles, respectively.
• - Concerns regarding battery metal supply stability can be referenced in the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry’s report from March 12, 2025.
• - Geothermal aquifers refer to strata rich in permeable spaces that can store and transport fluids like water or gas.
• - The EP+ module model involves contracted design and procurement, allowing equipment to be delivered in modular components for efficient transportation.