This is the ai version of where the refinery is up to:“As of the...

This is the ai version of where the refinery is up to:

“As of the latest available information, Tesla’s lithium hydroxide refinery near Corpus Christi, Texas, is in the early commissioning and initial production stage of commercialization. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

• Construction Progress: Construction began in May 2023, with significant progress reported throughout 2024. By June 2024, the first of two parallel processing facilities, including the rotating kiln and cooler, was well underway, and supporting infrastructure was nearing completion.

• Initial Operations: On December 15, 2024, Tesla announced that it had fed raw materials (likely spodumene concentrate) through the refinery’s kiln for the first time, marking the start of operational testing. This is a critical milestone, indicating the plant is transitioning from construction to commissioning.

• Current Stage: The refinery is in the commissioning phase, where equipment is tested, and production processes are optimized. Tesla has begun producing lithium hydroxide using its acid-free refining process, but it is not yet at full-scale commercial production. The facility is expected to ramp up production throughout 2025, with full-scale production targeted for late 2025 or early 2026.”