Our technology
Li-Capt®, our Direct Lithium Extraction technology
Our Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) solution makes it possible to open up new sources while reducing the amount of water and electricity required and increasing the lithium recovery rate.
- Sustainable and efficient
- Patented and proven technology
- Ready for industrial use
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Li-Capt®, designed to meet your challenges
Diversify your revenue streams
Li-Capt® allows lithium to be extracted from any water in your industrial asset, even at low concentrations. Leverage the unused water in your plant!
Access untapped resources
Our technology is effective in extracting lithium from brine with lithium concentrations as low as 6 ppm. It is adaptable to all types of resources and extraction projects.
Transition to sustainable production
Li-Capt® minimises Carbon emissions, water consumption and waste production compared to traditional extraction methods.
How does it work?
Whereas traditional methods take years to become profitable, our DLE solution takes only hours to extract the commercial compound from the brine!
Step 1
The brine passes through the Li-Capt® column, leaving it devoid of lithium ions, and is then reinjected into its natural environment, without disturbing ecosystems. The Li-Capt® material has therefore captured the ions.
Step 2
Chloridic, sulfuric or other acid is injected into the Li-Capt® column, producing a solution of lithium chloride or lithium sulfate, depending on the type of acid added.
Acid never gets in direct contact with raw brine, avoiding any acidification.
At the end of step 2, we have an eluate that is ready to be refined into battery grade lithium carbonate or hydroxide.
Li-Capt® technology versus traditional solutions
Our technology is the best solution for extracting lithium from low concentration sources.
| Traditional processHard rock | Traditional processEvaporation | Li-Capt® | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lithium recovery rate | c. 60-80% | c. 40-60% | +90% |
| CO2 Emissions | High : +15-25t CO2 | Low : 5-7t CO2 | Very low : under 4t CO2 |
| Water consumption* | High : 300m³/t LCE | Medium : 200m³/t LCE | Low : 30m³/t LCE |
LCA analysis performed by MinViro and Ginko 21, not including : conversion and refining
*Danwatch et Lithium South development corporation
A technology that can be adapted to a range of ressources
Geothermal Energy
Oil & Gas
Salars
Process Fluids (refining and recycling)
Why Choose Li-Capt® for Direct Lithium Extraction?
Li-Capt® has everything it takes to make lithium extraction faster, cost effective and more environmentally friendly.
High purity of the eluate
The average rejection rate with Li-Capt® is close to 100%. Best on the market!
Industrialised technology
The pre-industrial workshop allows the company to have industrial capabilities before the commissioning of the final plant.
A solution 3 times more efficient
Our technology enables production from new sources of lithium, even at low concentrations.
Low Environmental Impact
Our technology produces minimal CO2 emissions and 90% of the water is reused.
Modular and easy to scale
Our Li-Capt® Column are designed for modularity, long life and low OPEX. They will always meet your needs.
Recyclability
Our solution allows total recyclability of the Li-Capt® Column in the treatment process.
Geolith is with you every step of the way
From initial laboratory studies to Li-Capt® Column maintenance for your production units, Geoltih is always at your side.
Preliminary Feasibility Study (France,US)
Lab tests
Feasibility study and FEED
Pilot tests, design and manufacturing of Demo Unit
EPC
Desing, manufacturing and delivery of Li-Capt® modules
Operation and Maintenance
After sales, Renewal of Li-Capt®
Modular and scalable technology
Li-Capt® Column manufacturing
We manufacture the Li-Capt® columns in-house to ensure quality, consistency and performance.
The column is the basic unit of our modular design, and they contain the Li-Capt® material.
Racks
The Li-Capt® columns are assembled in racks, and their number varies according to the customer’s needs, thanks to the modularity of the process.
Modules
The racks are assembled into modules, and we deliver as many as needed for the customer production targets. At this point we add all the needed auxiliaries and the control system.
Our demonstration units
Thanks to the demonstration’s units, the performance of the technology has been validated, for several resources and under different operating conditions.
This has enabled the technology to be industrialized.
Multi-resource demo unit
Commissionned in 2023 it is installed in our premises. Most of our customer brines are tested here. It also allow us to keep developing and improving the technology. It is equipped with an industrial column and can simulate multiple Operational conditions.
Continental brines, demonstration unit
Designed for a customer who intends to valorise brines with very low concentrations in lithium. The plant will be delivered end of 2024.
Salar pilot plant
By working with local producers and lithium experts, the Antofagasta plant has allowed us to optimize our technology for a salar and minimize operating costs.
10 t LCE/year
with 6 small-scale Li-Capt® Column
Geothermal demonstration unit
Specifically designed for a customer it allowed to validate The performance of the technology on-site, for a geothermal Lithium produced.
20 t LCE/year
with 6 industrial Li-Capt® Column containerized
Salar pilot plant
POC in Coipasa salars with sucessful results : high sleectivity and low water consumption.
Our commitment to the UN’ SDGs thanks to Li-Capt®
Drinking water & sanitation
- Prevent depletion of underground water reservoirs
- Much lower consumption than traditional technologies
Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure
- Li-Capt® reduced land footprint compared to existing technologies
- Innovative solution developed by R&D
Responsible consumption & production
- Minimum waste during the product’s lifecycle
- Enables local lithium production
- Enhances the sustainable supply chain for batteries
- Extends the lifespan of assets
Climate action
- Nearly zero CO2 emissions
Case studies
Have a look at our case studies to see in detail how we have enabled our customers to implement Direct Lithium Extraction.
About Geolith
Find out more about the Geolith team, our commitments and the values that drive us every day.
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Contact us
1 rue Jean Rostand
91400 Orsay
France
15 rue Alfred Kastler
67300 Schiltigheim
France
Houston
- Texas
USA
Santiago
Chile
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Our ambition
Learn about the next steps in our plan to address lithium market challenges.
Our support
Find out more about how our experts can help and support you at every stage of your project.
