Durham, UK – October 15, 2025 – Today, Northern Lithium, Kurita, and Evove announced a collaborative effort to establish the UK’s inaugural commercial-scale lithium production utilizing advanced membrane-based Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE). With Evove’s DLE technology central to the modular facilities designed and produced by Kurita, Northern Lithium plans to initiate commercial lithium output in County Durham, Northeast England, starting with a capacity of 500 tonnes per year in 2027, eventually scaling up to over 20,000 tonnes annually by 2035.
This exclusive partnership agreement covers at least the initial 5,000 tonnes of Lithium Carbonate Equivalent (LCE) and follows thorough testing of pumps and reservoirs, as well as the processing of millions of liters of saline brines sourced from Northern Lithium’s Northern Pennine Orefield. Successful field trials of a 1:15 scale DLE demonstration unit were conducted at the company’s first site at Ludwell Farm, County Durham, from January to April 2025.
Lithium is an essential raw material for the production of rechargeable batteries used in electric vehicles, stationary energy storage, and portable electronics. This partnership signifies a crucial step in the energy transition for the UK and Europe, as these commercial facilities will be among the first to provide secure and sustainable local lithium supplies to domestic and regional markets. This initiative promises substantial environmental and economic advantages while mitigating reliance on unpredictable global supply chains.
It is anticipated that the UK could require over 80,000 tonnes of LCE annually by 2035, with Northern Lithium potentially fulfilling 25% of that domestic demand. Additionally, the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement’s (TCA) rules of origin, which take effect on January 1, 2027, will drive demand for locally sourced lithium. These rules stipulate that electric vehicles must have a portion of their value derived from the UK or EU to avoid a 10% tariff, thereby incentivizing investments in UK and EU battery manufacturing and supply chains.
Having demonstrated the commercial feasibility of lithium extraction in Northeast England, Northern Lithium is now progressing toward commercial lithium production from its Northern Pennine Orefield brines. By employing Evove’s advanced membrane-based DLE technology, recognized as one of the most promising methods for efficiently extracting lithium from brines, and leveraging Kurita’s expertise in water processing and manufacturing, modular and scalable DLE plants will be established. These production facilities will be situated in large agricultural-style structures, allowing lithium-depleted brines to be reinjected into the underground aquifer.
“Northern Lithium has placed its trust in our DLE technology from the beginning, enabling a faster-than-usual path to commercial production,” stated Evove’s CEO, Chris Wyres. “Our ability to extensively process Northern Lithium’s brines at the Evove DLE Test Centre, located just a two-hour drive from the site, has expedited our progress, surpassing several other lithium production projects we are involved with across the UK, EU, and North America.”
Kurita’s distinguished expertise in water treatment brings an additional layer of capability to the project. The Kurita Group, with over 75 years of experience in providing water treatment solutions for advanced industries, including semiconductor manufacturing globally, enhances the project’s potential.
Makoto Mizuno, Executive General Manager of Kurita’s Innovation Division, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: “We are excited to have established an international alliance that will speed up the commercialization of a lithium extraction facility powered by Evove’s innovative DLE technology. This initiative combines our extensive expertise in advanced water treatment with the pioneering innovations and deep knowledge of Evove and Northern Lithium. Together, we aim to create a transformative solution that ensures high efficiency and significantly reduces environmental impact. By leveraging the strengths of all three companies, we are committed to developing a sustainable resource supply system that will be vital in achieving a carbon-neutral society. This is more than just a project; it represents a shared dedication to fostering a cleaner, more sustainable future.”
Nick Pople, CEO of Northern Lithium, remarked, “As we target our first commercial production by the end of 2027, we have strong confidence in the Evove-Kurita DLE solution. Following the signing of the strategic partnership MOU in Tokyo last week, we have already initiated the detailed engineering and design phase for the commercial plants. Kurita and Evove view the processing of our brine as relatively straightforward, and we eagerly anticipate the installation of the first commercial production units on site in 2027.”
Source: Northern Lithium
