LiTHOS Group Ltd, a company at the forefront of sustainable lithium brine extraction, has officially been granted U.S. patent for its “Electro-Pressure Membrane Method for Recovery and Concentration of Lithium from Aqueous Sources” technology by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
According to certain reports, the stated patent secures LiTHOS’ ability to operate across the full lithium extraction and refinement process, covering essential stages from pre-treatment through lithium concentration to final processing.
It also safeguards LiTHOS’ flexibility to integrate any Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) method, supporting an adaptable approach to refining.
Talk about the now-patented technology on a slightly deeper level, AcQUA™ technology combines an electro-pressure membrane process that concentrates lithium efficiently, doing so without requiring fresh water or harmful chemicals. Complimenting the same is a TiERRA solution, which brings to the fore a closed-loop solution that re-injects conditioned brine, thus reducing the environmental impact and supporting long-term water conservation. Upon being used in conjunction with AcQUA, these solutions make a bid to extend and enhance industry’s push for sustainable extraction and refining practices.
Anyway, going back to patent allowance protecting all five steps in LiTHOS’ lithium extraction and concentration process, it marks a significant milestone for the company’s intellectual property portfolio. Such a comprehensive protection enhances LiTHOS’ capability to work with various DLE techniques and enable seamless adaptation, as well as integration with lithium carbonate or hydroxide production.
This adaptability, on its part, happens to be crucial for Pre-Treatment, where LiTHOS AcQUA™ technology facilitates effective removal of impurities like magnesium, calcium, and boron to prepare brine for optimal lithium recovery.
Next up, it is crucial for Lithium Concentration and Refinement. The patent basically protects electro-pressure membrane process that drives lithium concentration. By doing so, it effectively lays groundwork for efficient downstream conversion to high-purity Lithium Carbonate or Lithium Hydroxide.
The flexibility in question also holds substantial significance for DLE Integration. We get to say so because AcQUA™ can work with various DLE techniques, including absorption, solvent extraction, and electrodialysis, to give its partners the facility to adopt the most suitable extraction technology.
Then, we have the Post-Treatment and Re-Injection in which LiTHOS’ TiERRA technology conditions spent brine for re-injection to reduce freshwater requirements, align with environmental best practices, and eventually address the challenge of responsible brine management.
“This foundational patent broadens our ability to offer fully integrated lithium extraction and refinement solutions, from pre-treatment to the final stage of producing battery-grade materials. It provides LiTHOS with a secure framework for commercializing our AcQUA™ and TiERRA™ technologies, and for partnering with other DLE innovators to meet growing lithium demands sustainably,” said Scott Taylor, CEO of LiTHOS.
Thanks to this patent, LiTHOS will now also be able to accelerate commercial opportunities, such as strategic licensing & partnerships and full operational control. In the former’s case, the development unlocks access to new collaborations with lithium producers and refiners seeking flexible, scalable solutions for battery-grade lithium. As for the latter scenario, it refers to the patent protecting LiTHOS’ ability to operate independently or with industry partners in both refining and DLE stages, a critical factor in meeting industry demands.
Another detail worth a mention is rooted in how LiTHOS’ technology is already validated on the back multiple partnerships and projects. One example of it comes from the company’s collaboration with Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile (SQM). Here, AcQUA™ demonstrated high-purity lithium recovery and the removal of challenging impurities, positioning it as a viable choice for major lithium producers.
Apart from that, LiTHOS is also actively engaging with global firms across the specialty chemicals and mining sectors in which AcQUA™ and TiERRA™ technologies are being evaluated for large-scale applications.
