Another Li-News related article not of the above discussed but I...

Another Li-News related article not of the above discussed but I find interesting and could just shows a different avenue for the so called test tube Co's

MATERIALSSumitomo Metal to produce lithium with rapid-extraction techJoint investments eyed in Argentina and Chile for crucial battery materialLithium can be extracted from brine in salt flats. © ReutersSHOYA OKINAGA, Nikkei staff writerApril 11, 2023 01:10 JSTTOKYO -- Sumitomo Metal Mining will start producing lithium overseas as early as 2028, Nikkei has learned, using proprietary technology that allows for fast extraction of the key battery-making material.Lithium can be extracted from ore or from brine in salt flats. Sumitomo Metal is developing a new type of technology for a selective absorbent that separates lithium from the brine.The company plans to start talks with resources producers for joint production in such countries as Argentina and Chile, leveraging the new technology to obtain concessions in a field dominated by overseas players until now. Sumitomo Metal is a major supplier of cathode material for lithium-ion batteries. It produces nickel and cobalt used in cathode material. But for lithium, Sumitomo Metal has relied almost completely on overseas companies.Extracting lithium will take around a week with the new technology, down sharply from the usual year or so.The new process also reduces the costs of chemical solutions used in production to a tenth the original amount. This opens the door to moneymaking operations at sites that would otherwise be unprofitable.The Japanese company is considering salt flats in Argentina, Chile and elsewhere in South America. It could acquire interests through joint ventures or joint investments with local mining companies, in addition to providing the new absorbent technology.Sumitomo Metal expects annual raw materials output to be around 20,000 to 30,000 tonnes -- enough to make batteries for hundreds of thousands of electric vehicles.Lithium demand in 2040 will be more than 10 times the 2020 level, the International Energy Agency estimates. Rising demand for batteries could result in a severe shortage of lithium.Lithium production is concentrated in Australia, Chile, China and Argentina. Supplies are vulnerable to geopolitical disruptions.With the risk of market fluctuations, as well as the massive investments involved in extraction, the lithium industry is populated by such large players as U.S. chemical producer Albemarle, SQM of Chile and China's Tianqi Lithium.The Japanese government in December designated 11 items, including semiconductors and lithium, as strategically critical under the economic security law. The government will work with the private sector to secure lithium supplies.Only a limited number of Japanese companies have lithium production rights. Toyota Tsusho imports the mineral from lithium deposits in Argentina. Creating a stable supply chain has become an urgent priority.Japanese interests will be competing against Chinese companies, which hold the top global share in manufacturing batteries and have been investing heavily in mining projects around the world.