The blueprint emerges for the first UK-sourced commercial-scale Direct Lithium Extraction plant

On December 19, three companies from the north of England - Northern Lithium, Evove, and Sheers - have signed an agreement to deliver the UK’s first commercial-scale Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) plant producing lithium carbonate. The partnership claims that the plant will use UK-developed technology, locally sourced lithium-bearing brines, and local engineering talent, to secure UK’s lithium supply and energy transition opportunities. The partnership plans to target commercial production of up to 10,000 tonnes of battery-grade lithium per year within the next decade, with the initial commercial supply of lithium commencing in late 2026 or early 2027.
Despite the promising collaboration, the limited public disclosure of details on technology scalability, brine quality, and environmental impacts makes it challenging for the external stakeholders to fully assess the project’s feasibility and future market competitiveness.