Research Articles

Battery raw materials are in the spotlight as lithium-ion demand surges alongside growing emphasis on sustainability. Variations in material emission intensities suggest that major decarbonization opportunities exist in raw materials sourcing.

The rapid expansion of electrification, enabled by lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), demands urgent actions to secure a stable and responsible supply of critical minerals for LIBs. The growth in battery material demand varies across different materials, driven by several factors including the demand for LIBs of different chemistries, material intensity variations across battery chemistries, and ongoing developments in lithium-ion cell design.

From salt flats to oilfields, lithium brine resources exist along a diverse spectrum, each with its own set of advantages and challenges. This diversity draws interest from DLE players across various industries as they seek to capitalize on the unique opportunities these resources present.

As global lithium demand increases and regulatory landscapes shift, DLE's (direct lithium extraction) role in the evolving battery supply chain merits closer examination. IDTechEx predicts DLE to disrupt the brine mining market, with a CAGR (compound growth rate) of 19.6%, making it the fastest-growing segment in the industry.

Lithium is the lightest and smallest alkali metal in the periodic table and possesses a high electrochemical potential. These attributes make it attractive for use in batteries, as it can provide a high energy density per unit weight, with few viable substitutes. While lithium finds diverse applications in glass ceramics, lubricating greases, air treatment, and pharmaceuticals, batteries dominate its end-use segment.