KBR Selected for Weardale Lithium's Demonstration Plant in the UK

Rhea-AI Summary

KBR (NYSE: KBR) has secured a contract from Weardale Lithium to develop one of Europe's most advanced lithium brine extraction demonstration facilities in Eastgate, County Durham, UK. The project combines KBR's PureLi® technology with Geolith SAS' Li-Capt® Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technology to produce battery-grade lithium carbonate from geothermal groundwater.

The facility is designed to scale up to a commercial production target of 10,000 tons per annum, with initial battery-grade lithium carbonate production expected in early 2026. The project is projected to contribute over £1bn to the North East England economy and is recognized in the UK Government's Critical Minerals Strategy as important for the country's transition to a net-zero economy.

Positive

• Contract awarded for advanced lithium extraction demonstration facility
• Successful pilot-scale production of battery-grade lithium carbonate
• Facility scalable to 10,000 tons per annum commercial production
• Project expected to contribute over £1bn to local economy
• Recognition in UK Government's Critical Minerals Strategy

Negative

• None.

HOUSTON, Jan. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- KBR (NYSE: KBR) announced today it has been awarded a contract by Weardale Lithium Limited for one of Europe's most advanced demonstration facilities for lithium brine extraction in Eastgate, County Durham, United Kingdom.

Under the agreement, KBR will provide technology licensing and proprietary engineering design for Weardale Lithium's plant, which will be designed to scale up to a commercial production target of 10,000 tons per annum in the coming years. The facility will produce battery-grade lithium carbonate from geothermal groundwater sourced from existing production wells.

This proprietary engineering design is based upon an integrated technology offering, established through a global alliance agreement last year, and has successfully produced battery-grade lithium carbonate from Weardale Lithium's brine at pilot scale, combining KBR's PureLi^® technology with Geolith SAS' Li-Capt^® Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technology.

"KBR's collaboration with Weardale Lithium reflects our shared commitment to providing sustainable solutions for addressing the growing demand for lithium, essential to the growth of EVs and renewable energy storage," said Jay Ibrahim, President, KBR Sustainable Technology Solutions. "This project is a significant step forward for overcoming global lithium supply chain challenges and advancing the energy transition."

"We're pleased to begin the engineering design for our demonstration plant, with the first quantities of battery-grade lithium carbonate expected in early 2026," said Stewart Dickson, CEO, Weardale Lithium Limited. "The integrated KBR-Geolith offering positions us to confidently scale up on-site production, contributing over £1bn to the North East England economy. Recognized in the UK Government's Critical Minerals Strategy, this project is pivotal to the UK's transition to a net-zero economy."

"We are happy to see our DLE Li-Capt technology implemented alongside KBR's PureLi technology at the Weardale Lithium demonstration facility," said Jean-Philippe Gibaud, President and Founder of Geolith SAS. "Our technology is recognized for its highly selective lithium extraction with low-carbon and low-water usage, making it a sustainable method for extracting lithium."

KBR's expertise in the recovery and purification of critical minerals stems from over seven decades of experience in evaporation and crystallization technologies, all designed to comply with evolving environmental regulations.

About KBR

We deliver science, technology and engineering solutions to governments and companies around the world. KBR employs approximately 37,000 people worldwide with customers in more than 80 countries and operations in over 30 countries.

KBR is proud to work with its customers across the globe to provide technology, value-added services, and long-term operations and maintenance services to ensure consistent delivery with predictable results. At KBR, We Deliver.

Visit www.kbr.com

Forward Looking Statements

The statements in this press release that are not historical statements, including statements regarding project outcomes, future production, economic contributions and future regulation, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, many of which are beyond the company's control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by the statements. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, but are not limited to, those set forth in the company's most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, any subsequent Form 10-Qs and 8-Ks and other U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings, which discuss some of the important risks, uncertainties and assumptions that the company has identified that may affect its business, results of operations and financial condition. Due to such risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof.  Except as required by law, the company undertakes no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.

For further information, please contact:

Investors
Jamie DuBray
Vice President, Investor Relations
713-753-5082
Investors@kbr.com

Media
Philip Ivy
Vice President, Global Communications and Marketing
713-753-3800
MediaRelations@kbr.com

 

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SOURCE KBR, Inc.

FAQ

What is KBR's role in the Weardale Lithium demonstration plant project?

KBR will provide technology licensing and proprietary engineering design for the lithium brine extraction facility, incorporating their PureLi® technology alongside Geolith's Li-Capt® DLE technology.

What is the production capacity target for Weardale Lithium's demonstration plant?

The facility is designed to scale up to a commercial production target of 10,000 tons per annum of battery-grade lithium carbonate.

When will Weardale Lithium's demonstration plant begin producing lithium carbonate?

The first quantities of battery-grade lithium carbonate are expected in early 2026.

What is the economic impact of KBR's Weardale Lithium project in the UK?

The project is expected to contribute over £1bn to the North East England economy and supports the UK's transition to a net-zero economy.

What technologies are being used in the Weardale Lithium demonstration plant?

The plant combines KBR's PureLi® technology with Geolith SAS' Li-Capt® Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technology to extract lithium from geothermal groundwater.