CBL - Companhia Brasileira de Lítio

What CBL - Companhia Brasileira de Lítio does

CBL - Companhia Brasileira de Lítio is a privately held Brazilian company and the country's only integrated lithium mining and refining producer, operating for more than three decades in the Vale do Jequitinhonha region of northeastern Minas Gerais. The company's operations span underground mining of lithium-bearing pegmatite ore at Mina da Cachoeira (across Araçuaí and Itinga municipalities), a beneficiation plant using dense medium concentration and optical/X-ray ore sorting, and a downstream refinery (Planta Química) in Divisa Alegre that applies an acid-route chemical process with internally developed R&D adaptations to produce battery-grade (99.5%), technical-grade (98.5%), and pharmaceutical-grade (99.5%) lithium carbonate, lithium hydroxide monohydrate, and ultra-pure nuclear-grade lithium hydroxide (99.99%).

The company's product portfolio is sold through direct enterprise sales to industrial buyers across battery and electric mobility, energy storage, nuclear energy, pharmaceutical, ceramics/glass, and specialty lubricant markets, both domestically and for export. Revenue is generated primarily from one-time sales of spodumene concentrate (5.5% Li2O) and refined lithium compounds, supplemented by anhydrous sodium sulfate sold as a refining co-product into paper, glass, leather, and textile industries. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is handled through bespoke commercial responses to inbound inquiries from a dedicated sales team.

CBL's go-to-market is sales-led and inbound-driven via its corporate website, with distribution handled as direct-to-customer shipments from the Divisa Alegre refinery to domestic and international buyers. Strategic positioning is reinforced by a partnership with IPEN/CNEN to develop domestic lithium-6 and lithium-7 isotopic separation, ESG certifications (BV ESG 360, ISO 9001/14001/45001, ABNT NBR 16001), and the company's role as a national strategic asset in Brazil's critical minerals and energy security agenda.

Name

CBL - Companhia Brasileira de Lítio

Legal name

Companhia Brasileira de Lítio

Website

https://cblitio.com.br

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

CBL - Companhia Brasileira de Lítio is Brazil's only integrated lithium mining and refining company, producing spodumene concentrate, battery-grade, technical-grade, pharmaceutical-grade, and nuclear-grade lithium compounds for EV, energy storage, nuclear, pharmaceutical, and industrial customers globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Lithium Mining and Refining

NAICS

Kaolin, Clay, and Ceramic and Refractory Minerals Mining (212323)

SIC

Miscellaneous Metal Ores (1090), Industrial Inorganic Chemicals (2810)

akta.pro primary industry

Lithium Mining & Brine Extraction (IMAKAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Battery-Grade Chemical Processing (LiOH/Li2CO3, Ni/Co Sulfates, Mn Sulfate) (IMAKAFAI), Battery Raw Materials Mining & Refining (Lithium, Nickel, Cobalt, Manganese, Graphite) (EUAFABAA)

Keywords

• Lithium mining
• Lithium carbonate
• Lithium hydroxide
• Spodumene concentrate
• Lithium refining

Headquarters

HQ city

São Paulo, SP

HQ country

Brazil

HQ region

Latin America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Lithium Compound Sales: CBL generates revenue primarily from the sale of lithium compounds — including battery-grade lithium carbonate (99.5% purity), technical-grade lithium carbonate (98.5% purity), pharmaceutical-grade lithium carbonate, and monohydrate lithium hydroxide — produced at its refinery in Divisa Alegre. Products are sold to national and international markets.
2. Spodumene Concentrate Sales: Raw lithium concentrate (spodumene concentrate at 5.5% Li2O) is sold as a primary product from the mining operation in Araçuaí/It inga, serving as raw material input for the company's own refinery as well as external customers.
3. Anhydrous Sodium Sulfate (Coproduct) Sales: Anhydrous sodium sulfate, a chemical coproduct generated during the lithium refining process, is sold to industries including paper, glass, leather, and textiles.
4. Nuclear-Grade Lithium Hydroxide Sales: Lithium hydroxide at 99.99% purity for nuclear applications is sold to the nuclear energy sector. CBL is working toward domestic production of lithium-7 isotope for Brazilian nuclear plants (Angra I, II, and future Angra III), currently imported.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

CBL is Brazil's only integrated lithium producer, mining lithium-bearing pegmatite ore from its underground Mina da Cachoeira in Araçuaí/Itinga (MG) and refining it into high-purity lithium compounds at its Planta Química in Divisa Alegre (MG). The portfolio includes spodumene concentrate (5.5% Li2O), battery-grade lithium carbonate (99.5%), technical-grade lithium carbonate (98.5%), pharmaceutical-grade lithium carbonate (99.5%), monohydrate lithium hydroxide, and ultra-pure lithium hydroxide (99.99%) for nuclear applications. Anhydrous sodium sulfate is also sold as a chemical co-product to paper, glass, leather, and textile industries.

Product overview

CBL operates an integrated lithium production value chain consisting of two main operations: Mining (Mina da Cachoeira underground mine producing spodumene concentrate) and Refining (Planta Química chemical plant producing lithium compounds). The product portfolio includes spodumene concentrate as the primary raw material, followed by multiple lithium compounds at varying purity levels: battery grade lithium carbonate (99.5%) for EVs and energy storage, technical grade lithium carbonate (98.5%) for ceramics and metallurgy, pharmaceutical grade lithium carbonate (99.5%) for psychiatric drugs, ultra-pure lithium hydroxide (99.99%) for nuclear applications, and lithium hydroxide monohydrate for lubricants and special glasses. The company also produces anhydrous sodium sulfate as a co-product. The P&D center develops new products including pharmaceutical and battery grade carbonates, while also working on isotope separation for the nuclear industry in partnership with IPEN/CNEN.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Spodumene Concentrate (Concentrado de Espodumênio) Raw lithium concentrate at 5.5% Li2O extracted from pegmatite ore at the Mina da Cachoeira underground mine; serves as feedstock for CBL's own refinery and as a saleable product to external customers.
• Battery-Grade Lithium Carbonate 99.5% (Carbonato de Lítio Grau Bateria) High-purity lithium carbonate (99.5%) for manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles and high-capacity energy storage systems.
• Technical-Grade Lithium Carbonate 98.5% (Carbonato de Lítio Grau Técnico) Technical-grade lithium carbonate (98.5%) primarily used in the ceramics industry and metallurgy.
• Lithium Hydroxide Monohydrate (Hidróxido de Lítio Mono-Hidratado) Lithium compound used in the production of lubricating greases and special glasses.
• Pharmaceutical-Grade Lithium Carbonate 99.5% (Carbonato de Lítio Grau Farmacêutico) High-purity lithium carbonate (99.5%) used in the manufacture of psychiatric medications.
• Nuclear-Grade Lithium Hydroxide 99.99% (Hidróxido de Lítio 99.99% Pureza)

Quantifiable outcome

• 45,000 t/year of spodumene concentrate produced at 5.5% Li2O from Mina da Cachoeira
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• IPEN/CNEN (Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares / Comissão Nacional de Energia Nuclear)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBL is partnered with IPEN/CNEN in the 'Separação Isotópica do Lítio via Troca Iônica' (Lithium Isotope Separation via Ion Exchange) project. The objective is to develop domestic separation of lithium-6 and lithium-7 isotopes at 99.99% purity. This partnership aims to make Brazil self-sufficient in lithium-7 supply for nuclear power plants (Angra I, II, and future Angra III), currently dependent on imports.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Mineral Resources (MinRes): Australian hard-rock lithium miner (Mt Marion) with downstream conversion exposure via the MARBL JV. Comparable as a hard-rock spodumene producer pursuing downstream value-add integration.
• Pilbara Minerals: Australian hard-rock spodumene concentrate producer supplying downstream lithium refiners globally. Directly comparable on upstream mining and concentrate production, though CBL adds integrated conversion.
• Sigma Lithium: Brazil-listed hard-rock spodumene producer operating in Minas Gerais with comparable customer base targeting battery-grade lithium supply for global EV/ESS markets. Most directly comparable Brazilian peer in mining footprint and product focus.
• Livent: Lithium chemicals producer focused on lithium carbonate, hydroxide, and specialty derivatives (butyllithium, high-purity grades). Comparable as a conversion-focused peer with diversified grade portfolio similar to CBL's multi-grade offering.

Emerging players

• Lithium Americas: Lithium developer with assets in Argentina (Cauchari-Olaroz, Thacker Pass) targeting integrated production of battery-grade lithium. Comparable as a focused lithium pure-play targeting the EV battery supply chain.

Broad incumbents

• Allkem (Arcadium Lithium): Lithium major formed from the merger of Orocobre and Allkem, with brine (Argentina), hard-rock (Australia), and conversion assets. Comparable integrated lithium chemicals peer across battery-grade carbonate and hydroxide.
• Albemarle Corporation: World's largest lithium producer, integrated from brine and hard-rock resources into battery-grade Li2CO3 and LiOH. Comparable as the global benchmark integrated lithium chemicals supplier across battery and specialty grades.
• SQM (Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile): Global lithium major producing from Chilean brine (Salar de Atacama) with a broad specialty chemicals portfolio. Comparable as a vertically integrated lithium chemical supplier serving batteries, industrial, and specialty end-markets.
• Ganfeng Lithium: Chinese integrated lithium major active in resource extraction, conversion, and battery recycling. Comparable as a vertically integrated supplier across battery-grade Li compounds and a counterparty for global offtake contracts.
• Tianqi Lithium: Chinese integrated lithium producer with significant stake in Greenbushes (Australia) and refining assets. Comparable as a vertically integrated supplier of battery-grade Li compounds to global markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/companhia-brasileira-de-litio

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CBL - Companhia Brasileira de Lítio