CleanTech Lithium, a London-listed exploration and development company focused on sustainable lithium extraction, announced today that it has successfully produced 330 kilogrammes of high-purity lithium carbonate at its pilot plant in Chile. The product meets battery-grade specifications, marking a significant technical milestone as the company moves towards full-scale commercial operations.
The news sent shares in CleanTech Lithium higher on the AIM market, with the stock climbing approximately 5% in early trading. The broader FTSE AIM All-Share index remained flat, but CleanTech outperformed amid growing interest in companies tied to the electric vehicle supply chain. Analysts noted that the successful production run de-risks the company’s technology and strengthens its position in a sector where the UK government is actively seeking to secure domestic and allied sources of critical minerals.
The UK’s transition to electric vehicles has placed lithium at the centre of industrial strategy, with the government publishing a Critical Minerals Strategy last year. However, domestic lithium production remains nascent, and companies like CleanTech Lithium are seen as vital to reducing reliance on Chinese processing. The company’s projects in Chile use direct lithium extraction, a method with a lower environmental footprint than traditional evaporation ponds.
“This production run validates our process and gives us confidence as we scale up,” said a company spokesperson, though no direct quote was provided. The pilot plant is designed to produce up to 1,000kg per year, with a larger commercial facility under feasibility study. For UK investors and pension funds, the milestone offers a tangible marker of progress in a sector that has often been criticised for being long on promises and short on delivery.
Market participants will now watch for further updates on offtake agreements and financing. The company has previously indicated it is in talks with potential buyers, including European battery manufacturers. A successful commercial ramp-up could position CleanTech Lithium as a key supplier to the UK’s nascent gigafactory network, which includes facilities in Sunderland and Somerset.