Adionics: Revolutionising Sustainable Lithium Extraction

The testing took place at SQM's Atacama salar premises
Adionics has completed tests of its cleantech technology to sustainably extract battery-grade lithium, achieving 98% lithium recovery rates

Leading cleantech company Adionics is on a mission to revolutionise the mining industry. One of the biggest challenges that the mining industry has faced over recent years is the steep increase in demand for lithium, as it is a crucial element of electric vehicle batteries, as well as mobile phones and tablets. The annual lithium demand is on the rise and not slowing down — demand is projected to reach roughly 1.5 million metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent by 2025 and over 3 million tonnes by 2030.

Adionics conducted a 1,500 hour test during which Adionics' proprietary liquid/liquid extraction technology demonstrated exceptional lithium recovery rates of up to 98%, as well as remarkable lithium chloride purity up to 99%.

The sustainable methods used to extract the battery-grade lithium carbonate purity results in significant reductions in freshwater consumption, energy requirements, lithium depletion from brines, and an overall minimal environmental footprint.

The testing took place at SQM's Atacama salar premises, in the second half of 2023. 

The future of lithium extraction

Adionics specialises in a closed-loop, liquid-liquid extraction process that efficiently and sustainably recovers lithium salts from various brines, including continental, geothermal or produced water. The patented Flionex system uses a highly customised fluid to extract lithium without the need for traditional reagents, achieving high lithium recovery rates with minimal water usage and environmental impact.

“We are extremely proud of the results of our latest phase of testing at SQM's Atacama Salar,” shares Gabriel Toffani, CEO at Adionics.

“Our team's commitment to innovation and sustainable practices is reflected in the outstanding performance of our technology. With lithium recovery rates and purity that set new industry benchmarks, we're not just extracting lithium, we're setting the stage for a cleaner, more efficient future in energy storage. This is an important step in ensuring a more sustainable supply chain for the batteries that power our clean energy transition.”

Toffani took the reins as CEO at Adionics in 2022, having previously served as CEO of Suez Latin America, and AVP of Global Projects of Suez. He has a background in engineering, having gained an Engineering Degree in Water Sciences from Polytech Montpellier and a Masters of Science in Environmental Science from the Paris City University.

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