KBR and Neptune Energy Pioneer 99.5% Pure Battery-Grade Lithium Carbonate from Gas Field Brine at Altmark

KBR and Neptune Energy have successfully produced 99.5% pure battery-grade lithium carbonate from gas field brine at Germany’s Altmark site, utilizing KBR’s proprietary PureLi® technology.​
Innovative collaboration marks a significant step in sustainable lithium production, bolstering Europe’s energy security and advancing the e-mobility sector.​

In a significant advancement for sustainable energy solutions, KBR and Neptune Energy have announced the successful production of battery-grade lithium carbonate (Li₂CO₃) from gas field brine at the Altmark site in Germany. This achievement leverages KBR’s proprietary PureLi refining and conversion technology, marking a pivotal moment in Europe’s efforts to secure a reliable and local supply of lithium for electric vehicles and consumer electronics.​

The process began in November 2024, when Neptune Energy, under KBR’s technical leadership, produced its first technical-grade lithium carbonate from lithium chloride (LiCl). The LiCl was extracted from brine using Geolith’s Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) Li-Capt technology. Subsequently, this LiCl was refined into lithium carbonate with a purity of 99.5%, meeting stringent industry standards for battery production. ​

KBR’s PureLi technology played a central role in this process, encompassing several key steps:​

• Concentration of lithium chloride
  
  
• Advanced impurity removal through refining
  
  
• Crystallization of lithium carbonate
  
  

This integrated and modular approach ensures high efficiency and product purity, essential for meeting the growing demand for lithium-ion batteries.​

“Strengthening regional lithium supply chains is critical to ensuring energy security, and KBR is proud to support this project,” said Hari Ravindran, Senior Vice President of Technology Solutions at KBR. “With our advanced PureLi technology, we are helping secure a reliable supply of high-purity lithium to meet the growing demand for e-mobility.” 

Axel Wenke, Director of New Energy at Neptune Energy, emphasized the importance of this collaboration: “KBR played an important role in our first lithium pilot project in the Altmark region. Thanks to KBR’s guidance and experience in the DLE business, we were able to produce our first lithium carbonate from Altmark brine in our Lingen-based laboratory.” ​

This milestone not only demonstrates the viability of extracting high-purity lithium from gas field brine but also underscores the potential of innovative technologies in advancing sustainable energy solutions. By combining KBR’s refining expertise with Neptune Energy’s extraction capabilities, the partnership sets a precedent for future projects aimed at reducing dependence on imported lithium and promoting environmental sustainability.​

As the demand for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage continues to rise, such advancements in lithium production are crucial. The successful implementation of this technology at the Altmark site serves as a model for similar initiatives worldwide, highlighting the importance of strategic collaborations in achieving energy transition goals.​