https://theconversation.com/charging-ahead-how-australia-is-innov...

https://theconversation.com/charging-ahead-how-australia-is-innovating-in-battery-technology-90169

"Not only does the product have to be designed and developed, but so does the manufacturing process, production facility and entire supply chain – which can cause issues bringing a product to market. Lithium-ion batteries have a 25 year headstart in these areas."


The BMW deal is important because it's another piece in the supply chain logistics cementing Lithium's position as the material of choice for EV batteries, for at least the next decade.

Great Wall Motors (a USD15b Company) deal with PLS was big. However BMW (a USD70b Company) would be of international significance, whomever they sign with. If PLS, then it would be yet further validation of the quality of the Pilgangoora resource. BMW are synonymous with quality. Their inherent German engineering precision excellence would demand no unanswered questions in the deal.

Whomever they partner with, they would want to know NOW that the producer is CERTAIN that they can produce chemical grade Spodumene. This makes Tianqi/ALB's Greenbushes the natural choice BUT they have commitments to their individual Chinese and American market interests.


Lithium from seawater sounds great. Drinking water from seawater sounds great too. However CapEx and OpEx makes doing so uneconomic. Especially when Lithium only contributes 2% to the total cost of the EV battery. Recycling is the most likely back up but even then the cost is preclusive for decades yet.

The use of sorbents or membrane separation techniques may be used as a byproduct of Oilfield or Geothermal power plant brines but they will contribute low volumes. As a stand alone source, they will prove too costly.

Undoubtedly less efficient power storage sources, like Aluminium or Sodium batteries will commercialise in the future but will they supersede Lithium for EV batteries? Unlikely.