A joint venture between IGO and Tianqi Lithium, Tianqi Lithium Energy Australia, has produced Australia’s first battery-grade lithium hydroxide at its Kwinana plant.
Lithium hydroxide produced at the Kwinana plant will be exported overseas and used in the production of high energy density batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage systems.
Tianqi’s plant is one of the few battery-grade lithium hydroxide facilities outside of China.
The plant employs 200 staff, and is expected to reach commercial production in the coming months once product qualification is achieved, with a nameplate capacity of 24,000 tonnes.
More than 900 jobs were created during the construction of Train 1, with further local employment expected when construction of Train 2 recommences.
Western Australian State Development, Jobs and Trade Minister, Roger Cook, said, “Western Australia has been exporting the minerals needed to make batteries for decades and this milestone demonstrates our ability to manufacture battery-grade materials locally for global exports.
“It’s great to see this burgeoning industry making Kwinana its home, further reinforcing the importance of the Industrial Area and the Western Trade Coast in positioning Western Australia as a Global Advanced Industries Hub.”
The plant paves the way for further investments in Western Australia’s battery and critical minerals value chain, including in advanced manufacturing of cathode active materials.
Tianqi is a member and contributor to the Future Battery and Critical Minerals Industries Ministerial taskforce.
For more information, visit: https://www.wa.gov.au/government/publications/western-australias-future-battery-industry-strategy.
