Aquatech Acquires Koch's Direct Lithium Extraction Business, Integrating Li-Pro™ DLE into the PEARL™ Technology Platform
Aquatech has acquired Koch Technology Solutions' (KTS) direct lithium extraction (DLE) business, integrating the Li-Pro™ Lithium Selective Sorption technology into their PEARL™ platform. The acquisition includes KTS' extensive Li-Pro IP portfolio and ongoing projects, notably their partnership with Standard Lithium (NYSE:A:SLI).
The integration creates the industry's only commercially proven, end-to-end flowsheet solution for lithium processing. Key highlights include the South West Arkansas project, targeting production of 22,500 tons per annum of lithium carbonate by 2028. The Li-Pro technology has demonstrated over 95% lithium recovery in over 12,000 operational cycles at Standard Lithium's demonstration plant.
- None.
- Extended timeline to first production (2028) for South West Arkansas project
- Integration and scaling challenges may affect implementation timeline
Insights
Aquatech's acquisition of Koch's DLE business strengthens SLI's position through enhanced technological integration and improved project bankability.
This acquisition represents a significant positive development for Standard Lithium (SLI). Aquatech's purchase of Koch Technology Solutions' direct lithium extraction (DLE) business integrates the proven Li-Pro™ Lithium Selective Sorption technology into their PEARL™ platform, creating the market's only end-to-end lithium processing solution. The transaction directly impacts SLI in multiple ways.
The existing Joint Development Agreement between SLI and Koch in the Smackover Formation transitions to Aquatech, maintaining continuity for Standard Lithium's operations where they've already demonstrated impressive 95% lithium recovery rates across 12,000+ operational cycles. More importantly, the licensing agreement for SLI's joint venture with Equinor (Smackover Lithium) remains intact for their South West Arkansas project - described as among the largest lithium projects in the US with 22,500 tpa production capacity targeted for 2028.
What makes this particularly valuable for SLI is the elimination of technological fragmentation. The integrated end-to-end solution combines upstream extraction with downstream processing, potentially accelerating project timelines and reducing production costs. For Standard Lithium, this consolidation of technology under Aquatech could enhance their project bankability by removing process risk - a critical factor for securing financing and meeting their 2028 production targets. The continued operational success at their demonstration plant validates the technology that will now benefit from Aquatech's 45+ years of experience scaling commercial technologies.
The acquisition of KTS' Li-Pro LSS technology adds direct lithium extraction to Aquatech's extensive process flowsheet IP, lithium conversion and crystallization capabilities. With this addition, Aquatech's PEARL platform becomes the only commercially proven, end-to-end flowsheet solution for lithium processing. Spanning lithium extraction, purification and refining, the PEARL process technology platform delivers high-purity battery materials for electric vehicles (EV) and utility-scale electricity storage systems (ESS).
The integration and optimization of upstream and downstream lithium processing will empower lithium resource owners with modularized process solutions at scale. This approach improves project bankability by removing process risk, accelerating project schedules and reducing the total cost of lithium production. Li-Pro LSS will be available under technology license as part of the PEARL full flowsheet licensing offerings.
As part of the acquisition, all ongoing lithium extraction projects utilizing Li-Pro technology and associated licenses, agreements and performance guarantees will be transferred to Aquatech. This includes KTS' role in the Joint Development Agreement (JDA) with Standard Lithium Ltd. (TSXV:SLI) (NYSE:A:SLI) in the Smackover Formation, where they have completed over 12,000 operational cycles using Li-Pro technology at their demonstration plant and achieved an average lithium recovery of over
"Koch Technology Solutions has proven the Li-Pro LSS technology as a successful DLE solution, and the time has come to scale it for the market. Aquatech is uniquely placed to scale this technology and deliver it into projects as a cost competitive, end-to-end process solution, creating significant value for the lithium industry," commented Dave Dotson, President at Koch Engineered Solutions, the parent company of KTS.
"We are confident that our legacy lithium customers will benefit from the broader offering of Aquatech. More broadly, Koch continues to maintain an active interest in the success of the technology via its investments in several key companies within the lithium minerals and lithium battery industries," said Garrett Krall, Critical Minerals & Lithium Business Leader at Koch Technology Solutions.
"Fragmented technology offerings increase project cost, risk and time-to-market, which has hindered the ramp-up of urgently needed critical minerals production in the
Mr. Sharma continued, "We welcome the KTS Li-Pro team to Aquatech and commend them on the pioneering work done to develop Li-Pro LSS. With over 45 years of experience scaling commercially proven technologies, we are excited to evolve Li-Pro LSS both as a standalone technology offering and as part of the PEARL platform."
About Aquatech
Aquatech leverages innovative technology, engineering and execution leadership to solve the world's most demanding process challenges in lithium, critical minerals and industrial water. Aquatech's technology portfolio, project execution and service capabilities are grounded in a culture of performance excellence built up over four decades, with thousands of facilities using our solutions in over 60 countries.
www.aquatech.com
About Koch Technology Solutions
Koch Technology Solutions (KTS) is a leader in technology licensing, delivering operating efficiency and capital productivity for licensees deploying the technologies in our portfolio. KTS partners with companies developing chemical process technologies to create attractive licensing solutions for commercial deployment, helping to bring the next generation of process technologies to the market.
www.kochtechsolutions.com
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SOURCE Aquatech
FAQ
What did Aquatech acquire from Koch Technology Solutions in September 2025?
How does the Li-Pro technology perform in Standard Lithium's (NYSE:A:SLI) demonstration plant?
What is the production target for Standard Lithium's South West Arkansas project?
How will this acquisition impact Aquatech's PEARL technology platform?
What happens to existing Koch Technology Solutions' lithium extraction projects?
