Green Lithium
Green Lithium is developing the UK's first large-scale merchant lithium refinery at PD Ports, Teesside, producing battery-grade lithium hydroxide and carbonate using a proprietary low-carbon, sulphate-free process for European EV and battery manufacturers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Green Lithium does
Green Lithium is a UK-based merchant lithium refinery developer founded in 2021 and headquartered in London, building the country's first large-scale facility for converting lithium-bearing materials into battery-grade lithium hydroxide and lithium carbonate. The company's core technology is a proprietary sulphate-free, acid-free hydrometallurgical refining process that laboratory validation has shown can produce lithium hydroxide at 99% purity while generating only inert mineral co-products. The design integrates zero liquid discharge, renewable electricity, green hydrogen feedstock, and carbon capture, achieving an 80% lower carbon footprint than international averages (3.3kg CO2 per kg LiOH vs 16.2kg) and targeting net zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2035. A patented waste re-processing system commercialises saleable co-products, creating circular-economy economics that conventional Chinese acid-roast refiners cannot match.
The project is anchored on a 58-acre site at PD Ports in Teesside, which received UK Outline Planning Permission from Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council in July 2023. The 50,000 tpa commercial refinery will serve European EV manufacturers, battery cell producers, and cathode makers — sufficient capacity to enable manufacture of over 1 million EVs per year and approximately 6% of forecasted EU/UK 2030 battery demand. The Technical Development Centre pilot plant in Teesside operates a continuous closed-loop circuit demonstrating production of both lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide. Strategic partners include Trafigura (feedstock supply and equity), EDF (Tees Green Hydrogen project), Rio Tinto (upstream supply chain MOU), Worley (FEED engineering), and WSP (Owner's Engineer).
The company is pre-revenue and operates a merchant refinery business model. It has raised over £14m cumulatively through seed funding (£1.6m from high-net-worth investors, closing at over 5x target), a £0.6m Automotive Transformation Fund grant, and strategic equity from Trafigura. Stifel Nicolaus Europe is leading the current institutional capital raise with Allen & Overy (A&O Shearman) acting as sponsor's counsel. Once operational, the company expects long-term enterprise supply agreements with European battery and EV manufacturers needing localised, low-carbon lithium chemicals to satisfy EU Rules of Origin regulations, with projected annual revenue of £1bn+ at full commercial scale.
Green Lithium firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Green Lithium
- Legal name
- Green Lithium Refining Limited
- Website
- https://greenlithium.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Green Lithium is developing the UK's first large-scale merchant lithium refinery at PD Ports, Teesside, producing battery-grade lithium hydroxide and carbonate using a proprietary low-carbon, sulphate-free process for European EV and battery manufacturers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Green Lithium industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Lithium Refining and Battery Materials
- NAICS
- Basic Chemical Manufacturing (3251), Other Basic Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing (325180)
- SIC
- Primary Smelting & Refining Of Nonferrous Metals (3330)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Battery-Grade Chemical Processing (LiOH/Li2CO3, Ni/Co Sulfates, Mn Sulfate) (IMAKAFAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Cathode Active Materials (CAM) Manufacturing (EUAFABAB), Hydrometallurgical Recycling & Refining (Leaching, Solvent Extraction, Precipitation) (EUAFACAD)
Keywords
Where Green Lithium is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Green Lithium business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Battery-Grade Lithium Chemical Sales: Revenue from sale of battery-grade lithium hydroxide and lithium carbonate produced at the 50,000 tonne per annum refinery. Target market is European battery and EV manufacturers. Projected to generate £1bn+ annual revenue at full commercial scale.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Battery-grade lithium chemicals sold via enterprise contracts |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
Green Lithium product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Green Lithium is developing the UK's first merchant lithium refinery, a 50,000 tonne per annum commercial facility at PD Ports Teesport in Teesside that converts lithium-bearing raw materials into battery-grade lithium hydroxide and lithium carbonate. The refinery employs a proprietary sulphate-free, acid-free hydrometallurgical refining process with zero liquid discharge, hydrogen-ready design, carbon capture, and patented waste re-processing that commercialises saleable co-products. Output is sold via long-term enterprise offtake agreements to European battery cell manufacturers, cathode producers, and EV OEMs.
Product overview
Green Lithium is a mineral processing company operating as the UK's first merchant lithium refinery developer. The company follows a systematic programme approach: first developing in-house piloting capability through its Technical Development Centre (pilot plant producing lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide via a closed-loop circuit), then building a demonstration plant, before progressing to its 50,000 tpa commercial refinery at Teesside projected to generate £1bn+ annual revenue. As a merchant refiner, Green Lithium converts lithium-bearing materials into high-quality lithium products with raw material flexibility (no ties to specific ore), sales flexibility (multiple products and grades), and patented waste re-processing for saleable co-products. The company has developed unique flowsheet IP with an independently verified lower-carbon refining process.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Commercial Lithium Refinery (UK's First Merchant Lithium Refinery) A large-scale 50,000 tonne per annum merchant lithium refinery under development at PD Ports Teesport in Teesside, producing battery-grade lithium hydroxide and lithium carbonate for European battery cell manufacturers, cathode producers, and EV OEMs. Designed to use low-energy processes, renewable electricity, hydrogen gas feedstock, and carbon capture technology to deliver an 80% lower carbon footprint than international refiners (3.3kg versus 16.2kg CO2 per kg lithium hydroxide). At full capacity, output enables manufacture of over 1 million EVs per year.
- Technical Development Centre (Pilot Plant) A UK-based pilot plant in Teesside producing both lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide through a continuous closed-loop circuit, demonstrating the sustainability and performance benefits of Green Lithium's proprietary refining process ahead of full commercial-scale operations. The pilot produces battery-grade lithium chemicals using a sulphate-free, acid-free hydrometallurgical flowsheet.
Quantifiable outcome
- 80% lower carbon footprint than Chinese refineries (3.3kg vs 16.2kg CO2 per kg lithium hydroxide)
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Green Lithium
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Green Lithium technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Green Lithium partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- Rio TintocoreMemorandum of understanding signed to develop a lithium supply chain commercial partnership. Both parties aim to play crucial roles across the fast-evolving European battery metals value chain, sharing the vision of building an end-to-end value chain that provides security of supply for UK and EU automotive and battery manufacturing industries.
- EDF (EDF Renewables UK and Hynamics)coreGreen Lithium backing EDF's Tees Green Hydrogen project for supply of hydrogen to its large-scale lithium refinery. EDF securing funding from UK Government's Net Zero Hydrogen Fund for the project. Hydrogen supply will enable 75% emission reduction compared to refineries outside the UK and enable lithium chemicals at 25% of Chinese operators' CO2 footprint.
- Allen & Overy (A&O Shearman)majorLeading global international law firm appointed as sponsor's counsel on the fundraising process that will underpin construction and commissioning of the UK's first large-scale lithium refinery. Firm recognised as leader in battery financing advisory.
- PD PortscorePD Ports selected as site for UK first large-scale lithium refinery at Teesport. 58-acre site within PD Ports Teesport complex at Kinkerdale Road, Teesside. Partnership provides infrastructure access and logistics capabilities for raw material imports and product distribution.
- WorleymajorEngineering services contract awarded to Worley for front-end loading of various supporting components of the plant's technology system. Includes developing balance of engineering, supporting critical planning and permitting activities, general constructability, and developing philosophy documents for controls systems and automation.
- WSPmajorWSP appointed as Owner's Engineer for development of UK-based lithium refinery. WSP brings globally recognised Owner's Engineer capabilities with prior experience delivering lithium refineries in other territories including Australia. Role ensures engineering solutions meet merchant refinery needs and support carbon net-zero ambitions.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Green Lithium competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Vulcan Energy Resources: Vulcan Energy is developing Europe's largest integrated lithium chemicals project, producing battery-grade lithium hydroxide from geothermal brine in Germany's Upper Rhine Valley. Both companies target EU battery-grade lithium hydroxide supply with low-carbon processes for European OEMs.
- Rock Tech Lithium: Rock Tech Lithium is building a merchant lithium refinery in Guben, Germany, producing battery-grade lithium hydroxide for European automakers. It is a directly comparable merchant refinery developer serving the same EU battery/OEM customer base as Green Lithium.
- Standard Lithium: Standard Lithium is developing first commercial-scale lithium refining operations in the US, using proprietary hydrometallurgical processes to produce battery-grade lithium carbonate and hydroxide from brine. Its technology and project-stage profile mirror Green Lithium's.
Broad incumbents
- Livent (now part of Arcadium Lithium, acquired by Rio Tinto): Livent was a global lithium chemicals manufacturer producing battery-grade lithium hydroxide and carbonate. Green Lithium's Head of Global Sales previously led EMEA sales at Livent, and Livent is the established player whose low-carbon positioning Green Lithium is targeting to undercut in Europe.
- Albemarle Corporation: Albemarle is the world's largest lithium producer with integrated resource, refining, and specialty chemicals operations. While globally diversified, it is one of the established Western incumbents whose European footprint Green Lithium aims to complement.
- Tianqi Lithium: Tianqi Lithium is one of the world's largest lithium chemicals producers with significant hard-rock and brine resources and hydroxide capacity. It represents the Chinese incumbent scale against which Green Lithium is positioning as a low-carbon European alternative.
Emerging players
- Cornish Lithium: Cornish Lithium is a UK-based lithium developer exploring hard-rock and geothermal lithium resources in Cornwall. While focused on upstream extraction rather than refining, it shares the UK strategic mandate to onshore lithium supply and is a domestic counterpart to Green Lithium's refinery.
- Infinity Lithium: Infinity Lithium is developing the San José lithium project in Spain, targeting integrated mining and conversion to battery-grade lithium hydroxide for European markets. It shares the EU-localised lithium chemicals thesis with Green Lithium.
- Liontown Resources: Liontown Resources is an Australian hard-rock lithium producer whose spodumene concentrate is a likely feedstock source for refineries including Green Lithium. Trafigura's role as Green Lithium's feedstock partner links Liontown-style upstream supply to Green Lithium's downstream refining.
Others
- Pilbara Minerals: Pilbara Minerals is one of Australia's largest hard-rock spodumene producers and a key upstream lithium raw materials supplier. It is comparable to Green Lithium as an adjacent node in the lithium value chain, though focused on mining rather than refining.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Green Lithium social profiles
Digital presenceGreen Lithium financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Green Lithium leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Green Lithium funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Green Lithium M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Green Lithium
What does Green Lithium do?
Green Lithium is developing the UK's first merchant lithium refinery, a 50,000 tonne per annum commercial facility at PD Ports Teesport in Teesside that converts lithium-bearing raw materials into battery-grade lithium hydroxide and lithium carbonate. The refinery employs a proprietary sulphate-free, acid-free hydrometallurgical refining process with zero liquid discharge, hydrogen-ready design, carbon capture, and patented waste re-processing that commercialises saleable co-products. Output is sold via long-term enterprise offtake agreements to European battery cell manufacturers, cathode producers, and EV OEMs.
Is Green Lithium a public or private company?
Green Lithium is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Green Lithium founded?
Green Lithium was founded in 2021. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Green Lithium based?
Green Lithium is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Green Lithium make money?
One revenue line is on record: battery-Grade Lithium Chemical Sales.
Who are Green Lithium's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Vulcan Energy Resources, Rock Tech Lithium and Standard Lithium. Broad incumbents are Livent (now part of Arcadium Lithium, acquired by Rio Tinto), Albemarle Corporation and Tianqi Lithium. Emerging players are Cornish Lithium, Infinity Lithium and Liontown Resources. Pilbara Minerals is listed as an others.
Does Green Lithium have an API?
No public API is recorded for Green Lithium.
What industry is Green Lithium in?
Green Lithium's product category is Lithium Refining and Battery Materials. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAKAFAI, Battery-Grade Chemical Processing (LiOH/Li2CO3, Ni/Co Sulfates, Mn Sulfate), with a secondary code of EUAFABAB, Cathode Active Materials (CAM) Manufacturing. Its NAICS code is 3251 and its SIC code is 3330.