News

Saltworks’ Lithium Advancements: 2024 Review

Barrels of dried lithium powder at an industrial factory.

Saltworks’ Lithium Advancements: 2024 Review

January 6th 2025

In 2024, Saltworks focused on installing full-scale lithium recovery systems in battery plants while developing novel solutions the lithium extractive industry needs. In the extractive space, Saltworks focused on enabling lower-cost direct lithium extraction (DLE) through robust and cost-effective methods to pre-condition upstream of DLE and to concentrate, refine, and convert (CRC) DLE eluates into battery chemicals. 

Innovative advancements that help push DLE-based refining systems down the cost curve were generously supported by Canada’s National Research Council IRAP program and Natural Resources Canada. Our simplified flow sheet using a novel reactor consistently produced battery-grade lithium carbonate across multiple DLE pilot projects.

Barrels of dried lithium powder at an industrial factory.

We proudly advanced a front-end engineering design (FEED) study for a commercial-scale DLE-based lithium refining facility in North America. This study resulted in detailed engineering designs and a firm price, enabling a clear path to commercialization. Additionally, our larger-scale ‘PILOT 10’ lithium refinery achieved significant milestones, including producing drums of battery-grade lithium carbonate from EMP Metals’ resource, as discussed in their December 2024 press release.

Saltworks secured its first commercial order for its ultra high-water recovery (UHP RO/NF) technology with a world-leading lithium producer. Despite suppressed lithium prices, we collaborated with industry leaders to innovate and improve refining technologies, achieving a 25% reduction in total cost of ownership with the potential for an additional 15% reduction.

In 2025, Saltworks will continue to offer our commercialized technologies and services to DLE projects. We will also continue to invest in innovation to advance lithium refining technologies that enhance DLE’s competitiveness.

Contact one of our engineers today for more information on how Saltworks can support your lithium project.

About Saltworks

Saltworks Technologies is a leader in the development and delivery of solutions for industrial wastewater treatment and lithium refining. By working with customers to understand their unique challenges and focusing on continuous innovation, Saltworks’ solutions provide best-in-class performance and reliability. From its headquarters in Richmond, BC, Canada, Saltworks’ team designs, builds, and operates full-scale plants, and offers comprehensive onsite and offsite testing services with its fleet of mobile pilots.

Related Resources

Semiconductor Firm Chooses Saltworks’ Off-Site Constructed and Commissioned Solution

Semiconductor Firm Chooses Saltworks’ Off-Site Constructed and Commissioned Solution

December 17th 2024

Saltworks Technologies is pleased to announce an award of a 600 GPM advanced hydrofluoric acid wastewater (HFW) treatment plant for a prominent U.S. semiconductor manufacturer. The owner required advanced proven treatment technology to future-proof their operations for decades to come. The BrineRefine and XtremeUF plant is off-site constructed and commissioned (OSC2) to reduce installed cost, schedule, and project risk.

This latest success further solidifies Saltworks’ position as a trusted leader in advanced industrial water treatment solutions, particularly within the semiconductor industry.

A 3D render of the advanced hydrofluoric acid wastewater treatment plant for Saltworks' semiconductor client

The fully modular plant, slated for installation at a California-based facility, will be off-site constructed and commissioned, ensuring swift delivery, ease of integration, and quick start-up on-site. This system is also designed to withstand high seismic loads ensuring the plant’s safety and resilience in seismically active regions.

Saltworks’ core process modules—including multiple BrineRefine-70 chemical reactors (CSTR) and XtremeUF ceramic membrane units—form the backbone of this intelligently automated system.

Saltworks hydrofluoric acid wastewater solutions offer lower total installed cost, less chemical consumption and sludge, and fit in smaller footprints. This is achieved through Saltworks’ proprietary self-cleaning ceramic ultra-filtration technology & precise process controls as opposed to conventional clarification and chemical dosing methods.

As semiconductors become faster and more ubiquitous, water demand and waste generated by fabs continues to increase. HFW, a byproduct of semiconductor production and requires treatment to remove fluoride that upset downstream biological and water recovery processes. Saltworks’ solutions address these challenges by treating fluoride to higher-than-industry standards.

Saltworks’ COO Joshua Zoshi commented, “This project reflects the trust and confidence our clients place in Saltworks to deliver innovative, reliable, and high-performing solutions. We are excited to continue to support the semiconductor industry with cutting-edge technology that serves the rigorous demands of advanced manufacturing”.

Contact one of our engineers today for more information on how Saltworks can support your project.  

About Saltworks

Saltworks Technologies is a leader in the development and delivery of solutions for industrial wastewater treatment and lithium refining. By working with customers to understand their unique challenges and focusing on continuous innovation, Saltworks’ solutions provide best-in-class performance and reliability. From its headquarters in Richmond, BC, Canada, Saltworks’ team designs, builds, and operates full-scale plants, and offers comprehensive onsite and offsite testing services with its fleet of mobile pilots.

Related Resources

Photo of a full-scale, 2-module, Saltworks BrineRefine plant
Product

BrineRefine Chemical Reactor

BrineRefine is a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) that executes diverse chemical reactions efficiently and with precision.

Photo of a silicon semiconductor wafer
Application

Semiconductors and Electronics

The manufacturing of microelectronics generates unique wastewaters. Saltworks can help you to manage wastewater flows from microelectronics production, targeting fluoride, ammonia, metals, and ions, reducing brine waste, and allowing water reuse.

Saltworks Triples BrineRefine Capacity to Support Semiconductor and Battery Industries

A Saltworks BrineRefine chemical reactor tank

Saltworks Triples BrineRefine Capacity to Support Semiconductor and Battery Industries

September 24th 2024

Saltworks Technologies is excited to announce the successful delivery of a 3x scaled-up BrineRefine plant to a major semiconductor facility in the USA. This new product offers significantly increased capacity of 3000-4500 m3/day, while maintaining the original 1000-1500 m3/day system’s fully modular design.

A Saltworks BrineRefine chemical reactor tank
An expanded capacity BrineRefine delivered to a US semiconductor facility
A 3D render of a triple capacity BrineRefine chemical reactor from Saltworks Technologies
A 3D render of Saltworks' expanded capacity BrineRefine

By adopting factory-built modular process units over site stick-built options, Saltworks’ clients achieve lower installed cost, lower project risk, faster install and start-up, and a factory-commissioned system with more advanced controls.

The expanded capacity BrineRefine, already deployed across North America’s leading semiconductor and battery manufacturing plants, can now process three times more. In the context of lithium production units, the larger-scale BrineRefine matches with a 15,000 tons per year lithium carbonate plant.

This flexible chemical continuous stir tank reactor (CSTR) has applications across battery manufacturing and recycling, mining operations, and lithium refining. It can recover ions of value, remove ions of concern, and protect downstream assets from scaling compounds.

“Our clients demand larger scale modules, and more work executed on the factory floor vs. at site. We are thrilled to rise to this challenge. We know that site work is four times more costly than factory work. We know that production in a clean well-lit facility, by the same craftspeople each day, translates into higher quality outputs and reduced costs. We also know that commissioning in our facility versus at a remote site enables more thorough code testing and opportunities to build in advanced diagnosis and control features.” said Ross Coleman, VP Engineer of Saltworks.

Saltworks’ BrineRefine continues to lead the way in precision chemical processing enabling higher water and chemical recovery at a lower cost, further positioning the company at the forefront of advanced and cost-effective wastewater treatment solutions across key industries.

Contact our engineers for more information on how BrineRefine can support your project.

About Saltworks

Saltworks Technologies is a leader in the development and delivery of solutions for industrial wastewater treatment and lithium refining. By working with customers to understand their unique challenges and focusing on continuous innovation, Saltworks’ solutions provide best-in-class performance and reliability. From its headquarters in Richmond, BC, Canada, Saltworks’ team designs, builds, and operates full-scale plants, and offers comprehensive onsite and offsite testing services with its fleet of mobile pilots.

Related Resources

Photo of a full-scale, 2-module, Saltworks BrineRefine plant
Product

BrineRefine Chemical Reactor

BrineRefine is a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) that executes diverse chemical reactions efficiently and with precision.

Photo of an electric vehicle with a lithium ion battery charging
Application

Lithium Extraction and Refining

Saltworks brings water mining expertise and advanced desalination technologies to our lithium clients, offering solutions for concentrating, refining, and converting low-grade lithium sources to battery-grade product. We offer higher purity and lower energy processing technology, that boosts yield, removes unit operations, and reduces cost.

Photo of a silicon semiconductor wafer
Application

Semiconductors and Electronics

The manufacturing of microelectronics generates unique wastewaters. Saltworks can help you to manage wastewater flows from microelectronics production, targeting fluoride, ammonia, metals, and ions, reducing brine waste, and allowing water reuse.

A simple process flow diagram for lithium processing and refining by Saltworks Technologies
Infographic

Lithium Process Flow Brochure

This lithium process flow brochure shows how membrane, thermal, and chemical water technologies fit into various stages of lithium production. Learn how to process lithium to battery-grade, downstream of direct lithium extraction.

Saltworks’ Successful Lithium Field Pilot Program with EMP Metals and Koch Technology Solutions

Saltworks’ Successful Lithium Field Pilot Program with EMP Metals and Koch Technology Solutions

September 4th 2024

Saltworks Technologies is pleased to announce the successful completion of a joint pilot program with EMP Metals Corp. (EMP) and Koch Technology Solutions (KTS) at EMP’s Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) Field Pilot Facility in Saskatchewan.

The following is a repost of EMP Metals’ original press release published here.

EMP Metals Announces Successful Pilot Program With Koch Technology Solutions and Saltworks Technologies in Saskatchewan

Vancouver, British Columbia, August 20, 2024 – EMP Metals Corp. (CSE: EMPS) (OTCQB: EMPPF) (“EMP Metals” or the “Company”) is pleased to provide an update on the ongoing success and results of the Direct Lithium Extraction (“DLE”) Field Pilot Facility (the “Facility”) located in Saskatchewan.

The Facility houses the first Koch Technology Solutions (“KTS”) DLE pilot skid commissioned and operated in Canada. Saltworks Technologies (“Saltworks”) provided pre- and post-DLE systems at site, and complete concentrate, refine, convert (CRC) technology for the production of battery-grade lithium carbonate.

The extremely ‘clean’ geological brine, without H2S or appreciable organics, was processed through Koch Technology Solutions’ Li-Pro™ pilot over 75 days, demonstrating, a lithium recovery of greater than 97%, impurity rejection of greater than 99% (Refer to Table 1). 

Table 1

Element Retention (%) Rejection (%)
Li 97.0
Na 99.95
K 99.95
Ca 99.3
Mg 98.5
Sr 99.5
B 93.0

Garrett Krall, Lithium Business Leader at KTS, stated, “KTS is thrilled with the industry-leading results Li-Pro™ has delivered. EMP has pulled together a strong team that is rapidly advancing to commercial project deployment with a truly economically advantaged solution.”

Megan Low, VP of Lithium Process Solutions at Saltworks, commented, “The site pilot produced lithium concentrations in the DLE eluate exceeding 2000 mg/L with a Li:TDS ratio greater than 0.1, almost non-detectable organics, extremely low silica, and steady performance improvements as the system was remote optimized. 

“Li:TDS ratio is a key performance indicator,” explained Ms. Low. “A ratio of 0.1 or higher is among top performing DLE systems and is reflective of the high quality and clean Saskatchewan brine processed.  This Li:TDS ratio will allow efficient downstream refining to battery-grade materials.  This performance represents a new industry benchmark for a continuous at-site DLE pilot,” concluded Ms. Low.

Paul Schubach, COO of EMP Metals, commented, “Combining of efforts between EMP, KTS, and Saltworks has delivered results that exceeded expectations, proving the value of our Saskatchewan-based assets.”  

The DLE eluate has been delivered to Saltworks’ headquarters for processing through their on-site Pilot 10 lithium refinery to convert the facility produced eluate into a battery-grade lithium carbonate for dispatch to off-takers.  

About Saltworks

Saltworks Technologies is a leader in the development and delivery of solutions for industrial wastewater treatment and lithium refining. By working with customers to understand their unique challenges and focusing on continuous innovation, Saltworks’ solutions provide best-in-class performance and reliability. From its headquarters in Richmond, BC, Canada, Saltworks’ team designs, builds, and operates full-scale plants, and offers comprehensive onsite and offsite testing services with its fleet of mobile pilots.

Related Resources

Photo of an electric vehicle with a lithium ion battery charging
Application

Lithium Extraction and Refining

Saltworks brings water mining expertise and advanced desalination technologies to our lithium clients, offering solutions for concentrating, refining, and converting low-grade lithium sources to battery-grade product. We offer higher purity and lower energy processing technology, that boosts yield, removes unit operations, and reduces cost.

A simple process flow diagram for lithium processing and refining by Saltworks Technologies
Infographic

Lithium Process Flow Brochure

This lithium process flow brochure shows how membrane, thermal, and chemical water technologies fit into various stages of lithium production. Learn how to process lithium to battery-grade, downstream of direct lithium extraction.

Photo of battery-grade lithium solids prepared in Saltworks' Lithium Test Centre.
Services

Lithium Test Center

Saltworks’ Lithium Test Center combines expertise and industry-leading technology to provide innovative solutions for processing lithium resources into battery-grade outputs. The Center is dedicated to de-risking lithium processing projects and accelerating full-scale implementation.

Saltworks Delivers Full-Scale Lithium Hydroxide Recrystallizer to Canada’s 1st Battery Plant

A SaltMaker MVR Crystallizer for Lithium Processing

Saltworks Delivers Full-Scale Lithium Hydroxide Recrystallizer to Canada’s 1st Battery Plant

July 23rd 2024

Canada’s first electric vehicle battery plant is under construction for one of the world’s largest automotive and materials manufacturing companies.

Saltworks Technologies (Saltworks) is pleased to have delivered a full-scale lithium processing system to this groundbreaking project.  

The digitized and fully modular SaltMaker evaporative crystallizer will help the client achieve three goals:

  1. Zero liquid discharge treatment of cathode active materials (CAM) wastewater
  2. Recover valuable lithium ions for re-use/resale
  3. Cost-effectively meet Canadian environment standards as well as internal sustainability goals

This project represents a first in Canada and one of the first in North America, poised to meet the increasing global demand for zero-emission vehicles.

A SaltMaker MVR Crystallizer for Lithium Processing
A SaltMaker MVR Ready for Shipping to Canada's 1st EV Battery Plant

Saltworks’ SaltMaker is a standardized and repeatable package with identical units delivered to leading North American semiconductor manufacturers, mining companies, and battery recyclers.

Saltworks is thrilled to continue contributing to the development of the battery supply chain with our advanced digital modular refining and recovery solutions.

Contact our engineers today to learn more about refining, recycling, and recovery systems for battery metals and critical minerals.

About Saltworks

Saltworks Technologies is a leader in the development and delivery of solutions for industrial wastewater treatment and lithium refining. By working with customers to understand their unique challenges and focusing on continuous innovation, Saltworks’ solutions provide best-in-class performance and reliability. From its headquarters in Richmond, BC, Canada, Saltworks’ team designs, builds, and operates full-scale plants, and offers comprehensive onsite and offsite testing services with its fleet of mobile pilots.

Related Resources

Photo of an electric vehicle with a lithium ion battery charging
Application

Lithium Extraction and Refining

Saltworks brings water mining expertise and advanced desalination technologies to our lithium clients, offering solutions for concentrating, refining, and converting low-grade lithium sources to battery-grade product. We offer higher purity and lower energy processing technology, that boosts yield, removes unit operations, and reduces cost.

A photo of workers recycling a lithium ion electric vehicle battery
Application

Battery Manufacturing & Recycling

Saltworks’ advanced water processing and resource extraction technologies are closing battery value chain gaps by cost-effectively refining, recovering and recycling valuable cathode active materials (CAM) including lithium, cobalt and nickel.

A simple process flow diagram for lithium processing and refining by Saltworks Technologies
Infographic

Lithium Process Flow Brochure

This lithium process flow brochure shows how membrane, thermal, and chemical water technologies fit into various stages of lithium production. Learn how to process lithium to battery-grade, downstream of direct lithium extraction.

Saltworks Receives $5M in Lithium Innovation Funding

Saltworks CEO Touring Saltworks HQ with Guests

Saltworks Receives $5M in Lithium Innovation Funding From NRCan CMRDD

July 15th 2024

Saltworks Technologies (Saltworks) has secured $4.9 million from Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) to advance innovation of next-generation lithium refining technologies.

“Development of our nation’s rich lithium resources is paramount to the prosperity of Canadians for generations to come but requires innovation to unlock Canada’s vast and dilute brines. Saltworks is thankful to have been awarded NRCan CMRDD funding to continue developing distinguished and innovative technologies that support Canada’s Critical Mineral Strategy.”

 

Benjamin Sparrow, CEO, Saltworks Technologies Inc

“Across critical mineral value chains — from upstream exploration and extraction to downstream processing, manufacturing and recycling — the electric vehicle supply chain holds incredible economic opportunity for Canada and Canadians. New clean technologies will help address gaps in our world-leading supply chain; seize the economic opportunity presented to us; keep Canadian industry competitive in a rapidly evolving global context; and create jobs — now and for future generations.” 

 

The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources 

Saltworks CEO Touring Saltworks HQ with Guests
Saltworks CEO, Benjamin Sparrow with Minister Wilkinson, touring Saltworks HQ
Saltworks BD Team Member Discussing Lithium Processing
Saltworks' Critial Minerals Process Manager Discussing Lithium Refining Solutions

Saltworks currently delivers full-scale plants based on commercialized products and processes, and through its work in the battery value chain, identified opportunities to develop next-generation technologies. The Critical Minerals Research, Development, and Demonstration (CMRDD) funding will contribute to commercializing these next-generation technologies.

Saltworks is committed to continue supporting Canada’s Critical Mineral Strategy and appreciates Canada’s commitment to continuous innovation.

Contact our experts to learn more about our brine-to-battery lithium refining systems. This includes systems from Saltworks that are available today, as well as the next generation being commercialized with the support of NRCan – CMRDD.

About Saltworks

Saltworks Technologies is a leader in the development and delivery of solutions for industrial wastewater treatment and lithium refining. By working with customers to understand their unique challenges and focusing on continuous innovation, Saltworks’ solutions provide best-in-class performance and reliability. From its headquarters in Richmond, BC, Canada, Saltworks’ team designs, builds, and operates full-scale plants, and offers comprehensive onsite and offsite testing services with its fleet of mobile pilots.

Related Resources

Photo of an electric vehicle with a lithium ion battery charging
Application

Lithium Extraction and Refining

Saltworks brings water mining expertise and advanced desalination technologies to our lithium clients, offering solutions for concentrating, refining, and converting low-grade lithium sources to battery-grade product. We offer higher purity and lower energy processing technology, that boosts yield, removes unit operations, and reduces cost.

A simple process flow diagram for lithium processing and refining by Saltworks Technologies
Infographic

Lithium Process Flow Brochure

This lithium process flow brochure shows how membrane, thermal, and chemical water technologies fit into various stages of lithium production. Learn how to process lithium to battery-grade, downstream of direct lithium extraction.

Image depicting a battery
News

99.9% Purity Battery-Grade Lithium Hydroxide

Saltworks is pleased to announce the production of battery-grade lithium hydroxide from an industrial wastewater. Saltworks’ process harvests lithium hydroxide solids that reach or exceed battery-grade specifications.

Saltworks Sells First PFAS Pilot Plant

a simplified PFD of Saltworks' PFAS treatment system

Saltworks Sells First PFAS Waste Remediation Pilot Plant

Clean Water Solution for a Major Industry Player

Jan 15th 2024

Saltworks Technologies (“Saltworks”) is pleased to announce the strategic sale of a small demonstration plant to treat PFAS wastewater from a major industry player.

PFAS are chemicals that persist in water, are difficult to remediate, and can cause health and environmental problems at high concentrations.

Saltworks’ solution utilizes ultra-high recovery membrane systems to concentrate PFAS waste and produce high-purity clean water for reuse or discharge. Saltworks’ client intends to send the ultra-high concentrated waste to trial PFAS destruction technology supplied by another vendor. PFAS destruction process produces carbon dioxide, water, and aqueous fluoride.

The ‘F’ in PFAS stands for fluoride which cannot be destroyed. To remediate the fluoride, it can be converted to calcium fluoride with Saltworks’ BrineRefine. The resulting calcium fluoride is stable, filtered out, and easy to dispose of.

a simplified PFD of Saltworks' PFAS treatment system

Figure 1: Simplified PFAS Treatment and Removal PFD. 

PFAS treatment systems must be carefully engineered with consideration of specific wastewater chemistry, co-contaminant removals as well as the economics of the different treatment options. With that, our experienced team and advanced treatment technologies are well-placed to continue meeting the growing demand for flexible solutions from the global PFAS industry.

Contact our experts today to begin examining the best options for treating your PFAS wastewater effectively and cost-efficiently.

About Saltworks

Saltworks Technologies is a leader in the development and delivery of solutions for industrial wastewater treatment and lithium refining. By working with customers to understand their unique challenges and focusing on continuous innovation, Saltworks’ solutions provide best-in-class performance and reliability. From its headquarters in Richmond, BC, Canada, Saltworks’ team designs, builds, and operates full-scale plants, and offers comprehensive onsite and offsite testing services with its fleet of mobile pilots.

Related Resources

Diagram showing the chemical structures of PFOS and PFOA molecules
Application

PFAS Wastewater Treatment

Saltworks’ advanced technology treats PFAS wastewaters to each client’s specifications. Our solutions can integrate into existing or new wastewater processes.

Photo of a silicon semiconductor wafer
Application

Semiconductors and Electronics

The manufacturing of microelectronics generates unique wastewaters. Saltworks can help you to manage wastewater flows from microelectronics production, targeting fluoride, ammonia, metals, and ions, reducing brine waste, and allowing water reuse.

Saltworks’ Doubles Production Capacity

Photo of a Saltworks employee inspecting pipework.

Saltworks’ Production Facility Refit Doubles Capacity

Industry-leading Technology With Exceptional Lead Times

Jan 8th 2024

Saltworks Technologies (“Saltworks”) has achieved a two-fold increase in production capacity following investments in 2023 to refit the company’s flagship manufacturing facility.

Industry demand to treat highly impacted industrial wastewater is exploding. Simultaneously, lithium refining capacity is projected to scale 5X in the next six years. Both sectors use Saltworks’ advanced technologies, driving the need to boost capacity for in-demand solutions.

The company’s standardized and repeatable modular designs, coupled with cell-based production and ISO Quality Assurance practices laid the foundation for the scale-up. Its most recent investments, which include re-tooling, adding production space, and installing additional live and wet-commissioning infrastructure at every production cell, further enhance production capacity.

By owning its means to production with centralized engineering, quality assurance and supply chain all based on one site, Saltworks tightly controls quality, delivery, and after-service support.

Saltworks COO Joshua Zoshi commented, “Maintaining highly competitive lead times, supporting our supply chain partners, and boosting capacity was a major goal of 2023. We are pleased to see the results as high-quality, fully fully-commissioned, advanced process plants roll out of our factory door. Every process module is shipped ready for rapid installation and start-up, significantly de-risking our clients’ projects.”

Saltworks continues to thank its dedicated supply chain partners for their vital contributions. The Saltworks team looks forward to continuing to work with them to treat some of the toughest waters on the planet.

About Saltworks

Saltworks Technologies is a leader in the development and delivery of solutions for industrial wastewater treatment and lithium refining. By working with customers to understand their unique challenges and focusing on continuous innovation, Saltworks’ solutions provide best-in-class performance and reliability. From its headquarters in Richmond, BC, Canada, Saltworks’ team designs, builds, and operates full-scale plants, and offers comprehensive onsite and offsite testing services with its fleet of mobile pilots.

Related Resources

Photo of an electric vehicle with a lithium ion battery charging
Application

Lithium Extraction and Refining

Saltworks brings water mining expertise and advanced desalination technologies to our lithium clients, offering solutions for concentrating, refining, and converting low-grade lithium sources to battery-grade product. We offer higher purity and lower energy processing technology, that boosts yield, removes unit operations, and reduces cost.

Photo of battery-grade lithium solids prepared in Saltworks' Lithium Test Centre.
Services

Lithium Test Center

Saltworks’ Lithium Test Center combines expertise and industry-leading technology to provide innovative solutions for processing lithium resources into battery-grade outputs. The Center is dedicated to de-risking lithium processing projects and accelerating full-scale implementation.

Contact Saltworks
Sign up for Updates

99.9% Battery-Grade Lithium Carbonate from Canadian Brine

Photo of a chemical reactor and pilot fluid storage unit at Saltworks' Lithium Test Centre

Production of Battery-Grade Lithium Carbonate From Canadian Brine Resource With EMP Metals and ROK Resources

Dec 7th 2023

Saltworks Technologies (“Saltworks”) is delighted to contribute to Canada’s Critical Minerals Strategy through the advancement of lithium refinement technology.

On December 5th, EMP Metals announced Saltworks’ production of 99.95% pure, battery-grade lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) from their Canadian brine resource. Saltworks is proud to have completed the lithium refining process development and pilot execution for Canadian-based EMP Metals Corp. (“EMP”) and ROK Resources Inc. (“ROK”).

Lithium brine sourced from EMP and ROK’s Saskatchewan resource was processed through a third-party direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology. Subsequently, it was refined into battery-grade lithium carbonate by Saltworks’ proprietary concentrate, refine, convert (CRC) technology.

With that, the successful completion of this project has resulted in:

  • Flow sheet confirmation and de-risking enabling accelerated full-scale development.
  • Production of multiple samples of high-purity battery-grade lithium carbonate.

In addition, the technologies employed reduce the cost, energy, and chemicals required to produce battery-grade lithium carbonate by removing the need for costly evaporators and more complex two-step lithium carbonate re-alkalization reactors. The results de-risk and accelerate the design and delivery of what could become Canada’s first, full-scale, battery-grade lithium chemical plant.

The data in Table 1 below are substantiated by independent third-party laboratory testing from Kemetco Research Inc. (Richmond, BC).

Table 1: Produced Lithium Carbonate Chemical Analysis Summary

Battery-Grade Spec Li2CO3 Produced Li2CO3
Li2CO3 wt% 99.5% 99.95%
H2O wt% <0.5% <0.5%
Na wt% <0.05% 0.0146%
Ca wt% <0.04% 0.0027%
Fe wppm <5 <5
Al wppm <10 <5
Cu wppm <5 <5
Ni wppm <6 <2.5
Cl wt% <0.01% <0.002%
SO4 wt% <0.1% 0.0129%

Note: wt%, weight percentage; wppm, weight parts per million.

Saltworks’ CRC technology employs many of the same industrial desalination unit operations the firm builds and dispatches for full-scale zero liquid discharge and selective contaminant removal projects. After all, lithium mining is water mining. 

Saltworks’ leading high-salinity water processing technology is ideally suited for the lithium industry, as evidenced by the assembly of Canada’s first brine-to-battery lithium refinery. With proven full-scale production and project delivery systems in place, Saltworks is thrilled to support the acceleration of lithium projects. 

For more details on the advancement, benefits, and applications of our CRC lithium refining technology, contact our experts today.

About Saltworks

Saltworks Technologies is a leader in the development and delivery of solutions for industrial wastewater treatment and lithium refining. By working with customers to understand their unique challenges and focusing on continuous innovation, Saltworks’ solutions provide best-in-class performance and reliability. From its headquarters in Richmond, BC, Canada, Saltworks’ team designs, builds, and operates full-scale plants, and offers comprehensive onsite and offsite testing services with its fleet of mobile pilots.

Related Resources

Saltworks' Technology Map for Industrial Desalination and Lithium Refining
News

Mining Water for Lithium: ZLD and LCE

Saltworks is pleased to release a new technology map for achieving complete system ZLD and LCE production. Saltworks’ CEO, Ben Sparrow, also covered the same topic on the “(Don’t) Waste Water” podcast, hosted by Antoine Walter.

Photo of battery-grade lithium solids prepared in Saltworks' Lithium Test Centre.
Services

Lithium Test Center

Saltworks’ Lithium Test Center combines expertise and industry-leading technology to provide innovative solutions for processing lithium resources into battery-grade outputs. The Center is dedicated to de-risking lithium processing projects and accelerating full-scale implementation.

Photo of a full-scale SaltMaker ChilledCrys skid
News

Lithium & Nickel Crystallizers for the EV Battery Industry

Saltworks has shipped two SaltMaker MVR crystallizers and a SaltMaker ChilledCrys to the electric vehicle (EV) battery industry. These full-scale systems will play an essential role in the production of lithium and nickel—two critical elements in EV batteries.

Photo of an electric vehicle with a lithium ion battery charging
Application

Lithium Extraction and Refining

Saltworks brings water mining expertise and advanced desalination technologies to our lithium clients, offering solutions for concentrating, refining, and converting low-grade lithium sources to battery-grade product. We offer higher purity and lower energy processing technology, that boosts yield, removes unit operations, and reduces cost.

Contact Saltworks
Sign up for Updates

FusionRO—Saltworks Announces Ultra-High Pressure RO/NF Tech

Image including a diagram of an osmotically assisted reverse osmosis system

Saltworks Announces Commercial Ultra-High Pressure RO/NF Technology

Nov 10th 2023 – Updated July 16, 2025

Update, July 2025 – What was previously described as Saltworks’ OARO system is now called FusionRO. This modular membrane brine concentrator employs ultra-high-pressure reverse osmosis and nanofiltration (UHP RO/NF) in cascading loops to achieve brine concentrations >200,000 mg/L TDS. 

———————————————————————————————

Saltworks is on a mission to pioneer sustainable water and lithium processing solutions. With that, we are proud to unveil our latest contribution to the field of what is loosely grouped as osmotically assisted reverse osmosis (OARO) or low salt rejection RO technology.  

With a commitment to advancing desalination processes, Saltworks’ FusionRO is now commercially available, marking a significant leap forward in brine concentration and water recovery from RO systems.  

Our FusionRO system can increase brine concentration by up to 80%, offering lower energy and costs vs. evaporators.  

For more details on the advancement, benefits, and applications of our newly commercial FusionRO, check out our latest article.  

Saltworks’ FusionRO is built around our core principles; scalable modularity and smart digitization, ensuring the protection of membrane health in a simplified and robust process.

For inquiries and to get started on your ultra-high brine concentration project, contact our experts today.

About Saltworks

Saltworks Technologies is a leader in the development and delivery of solutions for industrial wastewater treatment and lithium refining. By working with customers to understand their unique challenges and focusing on continuous innovation, Saltworks’ solutions provide best-in-class performance and reliability. From its headquarters in Richmond, BC, Canada, Saltworks’ team designs, builds, and operates full-scale plants, and offers comprehensive onsite and offsite testing services with its fleet of mobile pilots.

Related Resources

Photo of an electric vehicle with a lithium ion battery charging
Application

Lithium Extraction and Refining

Saltworks brings water mining expertise and advanced desalination technologies to our lithium clients, offering solutions for concentrating, refining, and converting low-grade lithium sources to battery-grade product. We offer higher purity and lower energy processing technology, that boosts yield, removes unit operations, and reduces cost.

Photo of battery-grade lithium solids prepared in Saltworks' Lithium Test Centre.
Services

Lithium Test Center

Saltworks’ Lithium Test Center combines expertise and industry-leading technology to provide innovative solutions for processing lithium resources into battery-grade outputs. The Center is dedicated to de-risking lithium processing projects and accelerating full-scale implementation.

Contact Saltworks
Sign up for Updates