Projects

Novel Domestic Battery Grade Lithium Carbonate Value Chain for Green Life

Coordinator:

FUNDACION ICAMCYL– León (Spain)

Description

Li4Life addresses the urgent need to secure sustainable and resilient lithium supply chains within the European Union, motivated by the strategic importance of lithium in clean energy technologies, particularly batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage.

The project’s pathway to impact is built around the development of an energy-efficient, environmentally conscious, and scalable pilot plant for processing and refining lithium from underutilized battery raw material deposits, focusing on poor and/or complex ores and tailings. Li4Life integrates cutting-edge technologies at various stages of technological readiness (TRLs), including advanced extraction, hydrometallurgical processing and purification methods, to achieve significant improvements in lithium recovery and purity. Beyond technological innovation, Li4Life places strong emphasis on sustainability and circular economy principles, promoting green mining practices that minimise environmental impact and support waste valorisation.

Objectives

Li4Life project aims to develop and demonstrate innovative and sustainable lithium extraction and processing technologies from unconventional European resources, with the objective of securing a domestic, environmentally responsible, and economically viable lithium supply chain in alignment with the EU Green Deal and Critical Raw Materials Act.

Li4Life project pursues:

• Sampling ore from reference Li objects across the EU and characterising this one.
• Demonstration of smart ore sorting together with advanced physical and mechanical pre-treatment techniques.
• Demonstration improved separation techniques.
• Demonstration of the novel refining (purification) solution.
• Demonstrate and develop an innovative, sustainable, and more efficient process for production of Li by development mathematically justified bridge from laboratory to pilot plant.
• Determination of the viability of Li4Life solutions through a preliminary assessment of economic profitability and life cycle.
• Promote Li4Life solutions by engaging key stakeholders and increasing public acceptability.