Standard Lithium, in Partnership with Telescope Innovations, to Produce Next Generation Solid-State Battery Materials

Rhea-AI Summary

Standard Lithium (SLI) has successfully developed a novel low-temperature process for producing lithium sulfide (Li2S), a crucial material for next-generation solid-state batteries, in partnership with Telescope Innovations. The company has converted lithium hydroxide from its Arkansas Demonstration Plant into battery-quality lithium sulfide, with samples sent to battery companies in Asia and North America for validation. The patented process operates at temperatures below 100°C, accepts both lithium hydroxide and carbonate inputs, tolerates technical-grade feedstocks, and offers enhanced manufacturing safety. While Standard Lithium's main focus remains on developing North America's first DLE project at South West Arkansas Project Phase 1 with Equinor, this technological advancement positions them strategically in the evolving lithium industry.

Positive

• Development of patented low-temperature process for producing lithium sulfide, a key material for next-gen solid-state batteries
• Successful conversion of lithium hydroxide from Arkansas plant to battery-quality lithium sulfide
• Process offers multiple advantages: feedstock flexibility, impurity tolerance, lower operating costs, enhanced safety
• Strategic positioning in high-value next-generation battery materials market
• Samples already shipped to battery companies in Asia and North America for validation

Negative

• Lithium sulfide production currently limited to very small quantities
• Main focus and capital allocation remains on other projects, suggesting limited immediate commercial scale-up
• Technology still in validation phase with battery companies

Insights

Battery Technology & Materials Expert

Standard Lithium has successfully developed a novel low-temperature process for producing lithium sulfide, critical for next-gen solid-state batteries.

Standard Lithium and Telescope Innovations have made a significant technological breakthrough in lithium processing that could have important implications for the solid-state battery supply chain. The companies have developed an IP-protected, low-temperature method to produce lithium sulfide (Li₂S), a critical material for next-generation solid-state batteries.

What makes this development particularly noteworthy is that the process successfully converted lithium hydroxide from Standard Lithium's Arkansas Demonstration Plant into battery-quality lithium sulfide. Samples have already been shipped to solid-state battery manufacturers in Asia and North America for testing and validation.

The novel process operates at temperatures below 100°C, which represents a substantial improvement over traditional high-temperature methods. This innovation offers several competitive advantages:

• Flexibility to use either lithium hydroxide or carbonate as feedstock
• Tolerance for technical-grade inputs with impurities
• Reduced equipment complexity and operating costs
• Enhanced manufacturing safety by avoiding high-temperature conditions

This development aligns with market trends toward solid-state battery technology, which promises higher energy density, faster charging, and improved safety compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries. Major automotive companies like Toyota are actively developing Li₂S-based battery technologies.

While Standard Lithium's primary focus remains its direct lithium extraction (DLE) project in Arkansas with joint venture partner Equinor, this R&D initiative demonstrates vertical integration potential and positions the company to potentially capture value further up the battery supply chain in the future.

NEW AND NOVEL LOW TEMPERATURE IP-PROTECTED METHOD FOR PRODUCING LITHIUM SULFIDE DEVELOPED IN PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN STANDARD LITHIUM AND TELESCOPE INNOVATIONS

LITHIUM PRODUCTS FROM STANDARD LITIHIUM’S ARKANSAS DEMONSTRATION PLANT USED TO MAKE NEXT GENERATION LITHIUM SULFIDE PRODUCT FOR USE IN SOLID STATE BATTERIES

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Standard Lithium Ltd. (“Standard Lithium” or the “Company”) (TSXV:SLI) (NYSE American:SLI), a leading near-commercial lithium company, is pleased to announce the successful production of battery quality lithium sulfide as part of a collaboration with Telescope Innovations.

As previously mentioned (see Aug 28^th 2024 news release), Standard Lithium has been working with its research and development partner, Telescope Innovations, to develop new and novel conversion technologies to make next generation battery materials. This new conversion process has now been successfully used to convert lithium hydroxide produced by Standard Lithium at its southern Arkansas Demonstration Plant, into battery quality lithium sulfide (Li₂S – see news release dated May 7^th 2025). Samples of the lithium sulfide have been shipped to solid-state battery companies in Asia and North America for ongoing testing and validation purposes.

Standard Lithium’s President and COO, Dr. Andy Robinson commented “this development of new IP and technology with our research partner, Telescope Innovations, exemplifies our approach to becoming the leading new lithium company in North America. Whilst our principle area of focus, and capital allocation, is building the first DLE project in North America at our South West Arkansas Project Phase 1 with our joint venture partner Equinor, we understand that constant technological evolution is integral to staying at the forefront of this rapidly evolving industry. This recent work led by Telescope demonstrates that we are able to take lithium chemicals produced from the Smackover Formation in southern Arkansas, and then transform them into the feedstocks required by the next generation of batteries. Our partnership with Telescope Innovations continues to be a “win-win” for our shareholders and their’s.”

Lithium sulfide is a key raw material required for many next-generation solid-state battery chemistries (see news release: Toyota works with partners to develop Li₂S based batteries), but despite the importance of lithium sulfide in the next generation of battery technology, it is only produced commercially in very small quantities and at very high cost. The technical collaboration between the two teams has resulted in a novel low-temperature patented process that has the following advantages:

• Feedstock flexibility – both lithium hydroxide and lithium carbonate are viable inputs;
• Impurity tolerance – allows the use of technical-grade feedstocks;
• Lower processing temperatures (<100 °C) – reduces equipment complexity and operating costs; and,
• Enhanced safety in manufacturing – avoids high-temperature conditions and associated thermal risks.

About Standard Lithium Ltd.

Standard Lithium is a leading near-commercial lithium development company focused on the sustainable development of a portfolio of large, high-grade lithium-brine properties in the United States. The Company prioritizes projects characterized by high-grade resources, robust infrastructure, skilled labor, and streamlined permitting. Standard Lithium aims to achieve sustainable, commercial-scale lithium production via the application of a scalable and fully integrated Direct Lithium Extraction (“DLE”) and purification process. The Company’s flagship projects are located in the Smackover Formation, a world-class lithium brine asset, focused in Arkansas and Texas. In partnership with global energy leader Equinor, Standard Lithium is advancing the South West Arkansas project, a greenfield project located in southern Arkansas, and actively exploring promising lithium brine prospects in East Texas.

Standard Lithium trades on both the TSX Venture Exchange and the NYSE American under the symbol “SLI”. Please visit the Company’s website at www.standardlithium.com.

Investor and Media Inquiries

Chris Lang
Standard Lithium Ltd.
+1 604 409 8154
investors@standardlithium.com

X: @standardlithium
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/standard-lithium/

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain certain “Forward-Looking Statements” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “target, “plan”, “forecast”, “may”, “schedule” and other similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information may relate to intended development timelines, future prices of commodities, accuracy of mineral or resource exploration activity, reserves or resources, regulatory or government requirements or approvals, the reliability of third party information, continued access to mineral properties or infrastructure, fluctuations in the market for lithium and its derivatives, changes in exploration costs and government regulation in Canada and the United States, and other factors or information. Such statements represent the Company’s current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations.

FAQ

What is Standard Lithium's (SLI) new breakthrough in lithium sulfide production?

Standard Lithium has developed a patented low-temperature process (<100°C) for producing battery-quality lithium sulfide, featuring feedstock flexibility, impurity tolerance, and enhanced safety measures.

Why is Standard Lithium's lithium sulfide production significant for the battery industry?

Lithium sulfide is a crucial raw material for next-generation solid-state batteries, but it's currently only produced in small quantities at high costs. SLI's new process could make production more efficient and cost-effective.

What are the main advantages of Standard Lithium's new lithium sulfide production process?

The process operates at lower temperatures (<100°C), accepts both lithium hydroxide and carbonate inputs, tolerates technical-grade feedstocks, reduces equipment complexity, and offers enhanced manufacturing safety.

Who is Standard Lithium partnering with for lithium sulfide production?

Standard Lithium is partnering with Telescope Innovations for the development and production of lithium sulfide, using lithium hydroxide from SLI's Arkansas Demonstration Plant.

What is the current status of Standard Lithium's lithium sulfide production?

The company has successfully produced battery-quality lithium sulfide and sent samples to battery companies in Asia and North America for testing and validation.