What the Project Is
DLE DONE RIGHT. EFFICIENT, SCALABLE LITHIUM EXTRACTION – this is what Summit Nanotech is all about. With a robust direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology that uses the lowest water and offers the lowest levelized cost, this project is built for the real world. Engineered with a balance of efficiency and ruggedness, the ready-for-the-real-world DLE solution delivers superior performance at far lower costs. It combines high-performance sorbent technology with a system designed to optimize multi-column performance at full commercial complexity… all while ensuring that the process remains resource efficient. This nanotechnology innovation startup, based in Calgary, leverages cutting edge academic research to meet industrial challenges in sustainable lithium extraction.
Main Benefit
The main benefit of the Summit Nanotech system centers on reducing input resources while enhancing recovery rates and performance. Key figures and facts include:
- >98% Lithium recovery rate
- >95% TDS rejection rate
- 7 m³ DLE-specific water makeup: 7 m³/t-LCE
- Approximately 30% lower freshwater use than evaporation ponds
- 50% less water use compared to commercial DLE benchmarks
Efficient and Scalable Extraction Technology
Summit Nanotech’s denaLi™ technology extracts lithium from brine using an efficient DLE sorbent and system that drives down both capex and opex. The full-stack advantage lies in its ability to handle industrial-scale complexities, achieving high recovery and impressive impurity rejection. Adsorption DLE, which leverages solid sorbent beads that selectively bind lithium from brine, is recognized as the market’s preferred approach. By avoiding any contact between chemicals and the brine, this method keeps the brine reinjection-friendly. This approach really seems to answer modern industrial demands with a solution that does more with less… and does it smartly.
Field Applications and Real-World Results
Real-world results back up the claims. Summit Nanotech has built proof-of-concept and pilot plants in locations such as Chile and the United States. Independent validation has confirmed that the process not only meets but exceeds water efficiency benchmarks – demonstrating approximately 30% lower freshwater use than traditional evaporation ponds and 50% lower than standard commercial DLE methods. From in-house demonstrations to operating field pilots, each project has fortified the technology’s reputation. Field-proven and commercially ready, each installation tackles the challenging recovery process head-on, with breakthrough results that include over 98% lithium recovery and over 95% TDS rejection.
Sustainable Lithium Production
Setting a new standard for direct lithium extraction, the project is paving the way to a smarter, more sustainable lithium production method. Traditional brine extraction using large evaporation ponds—though historically effective—simply can’t meet modern demands for sustainability and scale. Summit Nanotech’s innovative DLE solution is engineered to work within current environmental constraints by lowering water and energy use, minimizing chemical usage, and ensuring that the brine remains environmentally safe for reinjection. This is particularly crucial in meeting the accelerating demand for lithium driven by the global energy transition, especially given that 90% of the lithium demand is expected to come from the battery segment by 2030.
Global Reach and Advancing the Industry
Global demand for lithium is surging, fueled by the expansion of electric vehicles, renewable energy storage, and data centers. In this landscape, Summit Nanotech has established itself as a leading innovator in the DLE market. The technology is not only about reducing operational costs – it’s about driving down the levelized cost of lithium production while simultaneously promoting sustainability on a global scale. With strategic press coverage that highlights a US$14M Series A round and successful pilot plant operations, this approach is reshaping the traditional lithium extraction industry. From operating pilots in the USA to field demonstrations in Chile, the entrepreneurial spirit of this Calgary-based innovative project remains undeterred.
Project Impact: SDGs
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – by providing a sustainable and cost-efficient approach to lithium extraction necessary for battery production.
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure – through breakthrough innovation in nanotechnology and DLE, advancing infrastructure and production methods.
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – by substantially reducing water use and chemical dependency in lithium extraction processes.
- SDG 13: Climate Action – enabling a shift towards cleaner technologies and supporting the energy transition that helps combat global climate challenges.
Innovation in Action
This project is a glimpse into the future of sustainable nanotechnological innovation in the energy sector. With direct lithium extraction methods that balance efficiency and environmental responsibility, it is revolutionizing how lithium, a critical resource for the energy shift, is produced. The continuous upgrading of technologies like denaLi™ and the performance breakthroughs seen in real-world applications underscore the dynamic nature of this innovation. By harnessing precise and efficient nanotechnology, the project not only meets today’s challenges—it anticipates the future needs of an evolving global energy landscape. The journey from large, resource-intensive evaporation ponds to a refined, multi-column DLE system reflects a broader shift towards smart, sustainable engineering as the world races towards cleaner energy solutions…
