New 20,000-ton production line raises lithium recovery efficiency to over 90%

China has reached a landmark in the global energy sector with the launch of a 20,000-metric-ton production line dedicated to extracting lithium from salt lake brine. Spearheaded by Qinghai CITIC Guoan Technology Development Co., Ltd., the facility represents an upgrade in the efficiency and sustainability of lithium processing.

Historically, extracting lithium from salt pans via traditional solar evaporation has been plagued by massive material loss. According to the report, this new proprietary technology, safeguarded by multiple patents, does away with these inefficiencies. Here is the claim in numbers:

• Salt pan recovery. The extraction rate at this initial stage jumped from an industry average of under 50% to over 78%.
• Total workshop yield. Overall lithium recovery across the entire facility went from 75.38% to an impressive 90.41%.
• Production cycle speed. The methodology significantly condenses the timeline required to yield battery-grade lithium carbonate.

Interestingly, this accelerated processing does not compromise the simultaneous extraction of associated resources like boron and potassium. By minimizing waste and maximizing yield, the 20,000-tonne line serves as a blueprint for greener, larger-scale operations. As the demand for electric vehicles, consumer electronics, and large-scale energy storage continues to surge, this advancement solidifies a highly secure and self-reliant lithium supply chain.