Tianqi, IGO produce first Australian lithium hydroxide for batteries

Reuters | August 22, 2021 | 4:14 pm Battery Metals Australia China Lithium

Once in full production, Kwinana will be the largest lithium hydroxide-producing operation and the biggest spodumene converter in the world. (Image: Tianqi Lithium.)

A joint venture between Tianqi Lithium and IGO Ltd has produced Australia’s first batch of lithium hydroxide, as demand for the chemical used in electric-vehicle (EV) batteries is set to gain speed, IGO said on Monday.

IGO gave debt-laden Tianqi a lifeline late last year when it agreed to pay $1.4 billion for a stake in the Chinese company’s Australian lithium assets, namely the Kwinana processing plant and the world’s biggest lithium mine, Greenbushes, both in Western Australia.