Mangrove Lithium has announced plans to construct a new lithium refining facility in North America with a capacity of 20,000 metric tonnes per year of battery-grade lithium, sufficient to support over 500,000 electric vehicles annually. The expansion follows strong customer interest and is designed to enhance the security and reliability of Western lithium supply amid shifting geopolitical dynamics.
To secure demand, Mangrove Lithium has signed memoranda of understanding with several leading U.S. battery gigafactories for offtake of the plant’s full 20,000 tonnes per year. These agreements underscore confidence in the company’s patented electrochemical refining technology and its ability to deliver high-purity lithium hydroxide and carbonate at commercial scale.
“These MoUs reflect the accelerating interest from global customers who recognize Mangrove as a strategic partner in securing lithium supply,” said Saad Dara, CEO and founder of Mangrove Lithium.
Annie Liu, Chief Strategy & Commercial Officer at Mangrove, added “Having negotiated deals for automakers like Tesla and Ford, I’ve seen firsthand how critical it is to have a reliable Western lithium supply chain—and that’s exactly what Mangrove delivers.”
The new facility will extend Mangrove’s existing electrochemical processing flowsheet upstream to include spodumene concentrate processing. By integrating this step, the company aims to reshore portions of the lithium value chain currently dominated by processing capacity in China. Mangrove’s technology is feedstock- and product-flexible, enabling cost-effective production while minimizing carbon emissions and eliminating waste generation.
“The fragility of the global lithium supply chain is growing every day,” said Dara. “Mangrove is building the foundation for a self-reliant, scalable, and sustainable North American lithium future.”
The announcement comes as China has proposed export restrictions on critical lithium processing and extraction technologies, underscoring the urgency for localized refining capabilities. Industry observers note that diversifying processing capacity away from a single region is vital to mitigating supply-chain risks and supporting the rapid growth of electric mobility.
Construction is already underway at Mangrove’s first commercial plant in Delta, British Columbia, following a US$35 million funding round. That facility remains on schedule to begin operations by year-end, with an annual output sufficient to equip about 25,000 electric vehicles.
Mangrove Lithium, headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, develops scalable lithium refining solutions for North America and beyond. Backed by investors including Breakthrough Energy Ventures, BMW i Ventures, Mitsubishi Corporation, Asahi Kasei, and BDC Capital, the company aims to strengthen domestic battery supply chains by converting diverse feedstocks into battery-grade lithium products.
Source: Business Wire
