The biggest lithium hydroxide refinery in Europe would be built in Teesside as the Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council finally approved it, according to BBC News.
Project purpose
The Green Lithium project worth £248 million would generate materials for batteries used in electric vehicles, with manufacturing expected to start in 2025.
To be specific, it would produce lithium hydroxide and lithium carbonate through South America’s imported raw materials and Australia’s lithium producers and other countries.
Job opportunities
Conservative Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen and PD Ports CEO Frans Caljé supported the initiative. While Mr. Caljé commended additional investment to the Tees Valley, Mr. Houchen claimed it would produce “good quality jobs.”
The project is expected to provide 1,000 employments, including during construction.
Frans Calje, PD Ports chief executive, stated:
“We cannot lose momentum on our commitment, as a country, to reach Net Zero by 2050. Within PD Ports, sustainability is right at the top of our agenda, and we are on track to reach our ambitious target of carbon neutrality across our Tees operations by just 2027. We look forward to working alongside Green Lithium on this project which will, in turn, deliver our shared ambitions of leveling up the Tees Valley, creating real, sustainable jobs, and driving a low-carbon economy.”
Location
As per the report, Tees Valley Lithium will be erected on “Wilton International Chemical Park, near Redcar, and part of the Teesworks freeport.”
Director of owner Alkemy Sam Quinn announced the plans to start construction next year:
“Our strategic decision to locate in the Wilton International Chemicals Park, with direct access to comprehensive infrastructure and services and within the Teesside Freeport enables us to get into first production by 2025 and begin supplying our low carbon battery-grade lithium to customers spanning the UK and Europe.”
Currently, East Asia accounts for about 89% of global lithium processing.
