225 million strategic financing for lithium production in Arkansas

The U.S. Department of Energy allocates $225 million to a lithium production project in Arkansas, co-developed by Standard Lithium and Equinor. The grant is aimed at strengthening America's independence when it comes to critical minerals.

Share:

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) awards a $225 million grant to support a lithium production project in southwest Arkansas.
The project, co-developed by Standard Lithium and Equinor, is part of a broader plan to secure the supply of critical minerals in the United States, essential for the production of batteries for electric vehicles and for energy storage.
This initiative falls within the scope of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, legislation that promotes industrial development related to batteries and the energy transition.
The funding will be used to build a Central Processing Facility as part of the South West Arkansas project.
The plant will use Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technology to extract 22,500 tonnes of battery-grade lithium carbonate per year.

Long-term domestic production

The South West Arkansas project will produce 45,000 tonnes of lithium per year in two phases.
The first phase, supported by the DOE grant, will focus on producing 22,500 tonnes annually, while the second phase will add identical capacity.
The aim is to meet the growing demand for lithium, a key element for energy technologies, while developing local industrial capacity to limit dependence on imports.
The feasibility studies currently underway, notably the Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) and the Front-End Engineering Design (FEED), will enable us to refine the project design and optimize the use of resources.
These studies are essential to anticipate market needs and maximize production efficiency.

Regional and economic impact

The Southwest Arkansas Lithium Project is located in Lafayette and Columbia counties, an area with significant geological potential for lithium extraction from brines.
The planned plant will be built on 118 acres of land near Lewisville.
In addition to its industrial benefits, the project is an opportunity for the local economy: up to 300 jobs will be created during the construction phase, with around 100 permanent positions once the project is up and running.
Beyond jobs, the project will also boost local infrastructure and initiate partnerships with regional educational institutions to train a skilled workforce.
This approach aims to ensure long-term economic sustainability for local communities, which will benefit from direct investment in training and skills development.

Direct lithium extraction strategy

The technology used in this project, direct lithium extraction (DLE), is considered one of the most promising in the sector.
Unlike traditional methods, which require the evaporation of brines, DLE enables lithium to be extracted directly from underground brines, reducing production times and limiting environmental impact.
The development of this technology meets the specific needs of the battery market, which demands high-quality materials produced quickly and efficiently.
DLE also offers greater flexibility in terms of project location, making it possible to exploit geological resources that would otherwise be less accessible.

Outlook for US industry

The DOE’s support for this lithium project demonstrates the strategic importance of this resource for the US energy transition.
The US administration is seeking to increase its domestic production capacity for critical minerals to reduce its dependence on foreign suppliers, particularly in Asia.
This industrial policy aims to strengthen the resilience of supply chains, a central issue in the current context of high demand for electric vehicles and renewable energies.
Lithium production in Arkansas is therefore a key element of this strategy, helping to develop an integrated supply chain, from ore extraction to battery manufacturing.
This model is designed to encourage the establishment of new industrial capacity in the United States, thereby creating a more self-sufficient and internationally competitive industrial ecosystem.
The South West Arkansas project is therefore part of a broader dynamic that combines technological innovation, local development and national industrial strategy.
By optimizing the exploitation of local resources, it contributes to securing a long-term supply of lithium, while offering significant economic opportunities for the regions concerned.

HTEC has inaugurated a clean hydrogen production facility in Burnaby, British Columbia, marking the launch of the province’s first commercial-scale electrolyzer, with a combined production capacity of 1.8 tonnes of clean hydrogen per day.
Buscando Resources officially becomes Element One Hydrogen and Critical Minerals Corp. and completes a C$1.03mn fundraising through a three-tranche private placement.
The partnership includes local manufacturing in Poland of electrolysis systems using Elogen’s technology, with deliveries targeting the Europe, Middle East and Africa markets.
Vema Hydrogen has been named a qualified supplier by the First Public Hydrogen Authority to deliver clean hydrogen at industrial scale to California’s public and private infrastructure.
Le groupe français HRS a signé une commande pour la livraison d'une station hydrogène haute capacité, renforçant sa présence dans un réseau en expansion à l’échelle européenne.
With a $14mn investment, Enap progresses on the construction of its first green hydrogen plant, expected to be operational in early 2026 in the Magallanes region of southern Chile.
Plug completed the first delivery of 44.5 tonnes of hydrogen for the H2CAST project in Germany and secured a new contract for an additional 35 tonnes, confirming its logistical capabilities in the European market.
Gushine Electronics has opened a lithium battery plant in Vietnam, with an estimated annual production value of $100 mn, marking a new phase in the international deployment of its industrial capacities.
Indonesian nickel producer Anugrah Neo Energy Materials plans a $300mn IPO in December to finance its growing battery materials operations.
Sultan Qaboos University announces a breakthrough in water electrolysis using new rare-metal catalysts, improving production efficiency by more than 30%.
Standard Lithium a sécurisé $130mn via une émission d’actions ordinaires pour financer ses projets d’extraction de lithium en Arkansas et au Texas, consolidant sa position sur le marché nord-américain des métaux stratégiques.
Asset manager Quinbrook expands its North American portfolio with a first Canadian investment by acquiring a strategic stake in developer Elemental Clean Fuels.
Lhyfe commissions a 10 MW site in Schwäbisch Gmünd, its first in Germany, to supply RFNBO-certified green hydrogen to industrial and heavy mobility clients.
Brookfield will invest up to $5 billion in Bloom Energy's fuel cells to power future artificial intelligence factories, initiating the first phase of a dedicated global digital infrastructure strategy.
Metacon acquired components from the bankruptcy estate of Hynion Sverige AB for SEK3.5mn ($320,000), aiming to support its hydrogen refuelling station projects in Sweden.
The United Kingdom has carried out its first real-life trial of green hydrogen blending into the national gas transmission network, with power generation as a result.
Swedish company Liquid Wind has secured €3.6mn in public funding for the engineering phase of its eMethanol plant, integrated into a biomass-fuelled cogeneration site.
The Japanese industrial group will replace a 73.5 MW coke and gas-fired turbine with a 30 to 40 MW hydrogen-ready unit, scheduled to start operations in 2030 with ¥7.1bn ($47mn) in public support.
A two-year project aims to identify areas in Texas suitable for natural hydrogen exploitation, despite challenges related to infrastructure, public policy and economic viability.
Plug Power has announced the appointment of Jose Luis Crespo as President effective October 10, before assuming the role of Chief Executive Officer once the company publishes its annual report, expected in March 2026.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.