[Li-battery: India mempertimbangkan rencana insentif USD 1,4 miliar untuk komponen baterai canggih]

On October 2(nd), Eramet is considering a US$350 million brownfield expansion of its Centenario-Ratones lithium project in Argentina, which would add 11,000 mt/y of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) capacity to the existing nameplate capacity of 24,000 mt/y. The investment is subject to a final investment decision (FID), which Eramet says could be made by end 2027, and detailed engineering studies are underway. The project reached 90% of nameplate capacity in June, expects it to reach close to 100% by the end of this year. Eramet plans to apply for inclusion under Argentina's Large Investment Incentive Regime (RIGI).

SMM Sep 29: Prairie Lithium has secured C$6.3 million in federal financing for its Saskatchewan project through the Business Scale-up and Productivity Program, administered by Prairies Economic Development Canada. The funds will support Phase 1 production, including balance-of-plant systems for a commercial-scale direct lithium extraction (DLE) plant. Repayments are interest-free and start in 2029. Phase 1 targets 150 mt/y of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) as lithium chloride from oilfield brine, with the entire volume covered by an offtake agreement with Hydro Lithium. First brine production is expected in Q4 2026, which would make Prairie Lithium Canada's first commercial-scale lithium producer from oilfield brine.

On Sept 28(th), Gotion High-Tech will invest €1.1 billion ($1.25 billion) for a 49% stake in PowerCo's Valencia plant in Spain, which will become a European production hub for lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries. PowerCo, which remains the majority shareholder of the plant, will invest €470 million for a 49% stake in each of two Gotion sites: a cell factory in Šurany, Slovakia, and a new cathode material facility in Kenitra, Morocco. The companies said the agreements are part of a broader plan to jointly develop a European battery supply chain.