Aquatech has acquired Koch Technology Solutions' (KTS) direct lithium extraction (DLE) business, integrating the Li-Pro Lithium Selective Sorption (LSS) technology and extensive Li-Pro IP portfolio into the PEARL process technology platform.

The acquisition of KTS' Li-Pro LSS technology adds direct lithium extraction to Aquatech's extensive process flowsheet IP, lithium conversion and crystallization capabilities. With this addition, Aquatech's PEARL platform becomes the only commercially proven, end-to-end flowsheet solution for lithium processing. Spanning lithium extraction, purification and refining, the PEARL process technology platform delivers high-purity battery materials for electric vehicles (EV) and utility-scale electricity storage systems (ESS).

The integration and optimization of upstream and downstream lithium processing will empower lithium resource owners with modularized process solutions at scale. This approach improves project bankability by removing process risk, accelerating project schedules and reducing the total cost of lithium production. Li-Pro LSS will be available under technology license as part of the PEARL full flowsheet licensing offerings.

As part of the acquisition, all ongoing lithium extraction projects utilizing Li-Pro technology and associated licenses, agreements and performance guarantees will be transferred to Aquatech. This includes KTS' role in the Joint Development Agreement (JDA) with Standard Lithium Ltd. in the Smackover Formation, where they have completed over 12,000 operational cycles using Li-Pro technology at their demonstration plant and achieved an average lithium recovery of over 95%. It also includes a licensing agreement with Smackover Lithium, a joint venture between Standard Lithium and Equinor , for the first phase of its South West Arkansas project. The project is among the largest lithium projects in the US, with an initial phase of 22,500 tons per annum (tpa) of lithium carbonate equivalent targeting first production in 2028, with significant scope for future expansion.