Key Takeaways
- ElectraLith and Captura will build two commercial-scale pilot plants combining direct lithium extraction and refining (DLE-R) with bipolar membrane electrodialysis (BMED), with commissioning targeted for early 2027.
- The deal includes a five-year supply agreement for Captura’s BMED stacks, which ElectraLith received in June 2026 to pair with its lithium hydroxide and carbonate refining process.
- ElectraLith’s DLE-R process produces battery-grade lithium hydroxide or carbonate at purity levels above 99.5% without water or added chemicals.
- The companies plan additional commercial deployments in Chile, Argentina, Australia, and the United States by 2028.
- ElectraLith counts Rio Tinto, Chevron Technology Ventures, and In-Q-Tel among its backers, while Captura has raised from Equinor Ventures, Aramco Ventures, and Maersk Growth.
ElectraLith, Captura Combine Lithium Technologies
ElectraLith and Captura announced a strategic partnership on August 18, 2026, to combine their lithium processing technologies and build two commercial-scale pilot plants in the United States. The deal pairs ElectraLith’s direct lithium extraction and refining (DLE-R) process with Captura’s bipolar membrane electrodialysis (BMED) stacks, aimed at rising U.S. demand for lithium used in vehicle batteries, energy storage, and grid infrastructure.
Under a five-year supply agreement, ElectraLith received Captura’s BMED equipment stacks in June 2026. The two pilot plants are scheduled for commissioning in early 2027, which the companies describe as the partnership’s next major milestone.
Combining BMED and DLE-R
Captura’s electrochemical platform uses proprietary membrane technology to lower energy consumption and capital costs compared with conventional separation systems. ElectraLith’s DLE-R process runs as a single, scalable, modular step that produces battery-grade lithium hydroxide or carbonate at purity above 99.5% from various resource types, without water or added chemicals, and removes the need for overseas refining.
“ElectraLith’s partnership with Captura combines two industry pioneers taking on climate change, one of the greatest challenges of our generation,” said Charlie McGill, CEO of ElectraLith.
ElectraLith Pilot Plants Slated for 2027
Beyond the initial pilot plants, ElectraLith and Captura plan additional commercial deployments across Chile, Argentina, Australia, and the United States by 2028, targeting lithium resources tied to electric vehicle, battery, and grid-storage supply chains.
“This partnership represents an important commercial milestone for Captura as ElectraLith becomes our first major customer for our electrodialysis platform,” said Christene Banda, Chief Operating Officer of Captura.
Backing From Rio Tinto, Chevron, and Aramco Ventures
ElectraLith, headquartered in Melbourne with U.S. offices, was named a Top Innovator by the World Economic Forum in 2024. Its investors include Rio Tinto, Chevron Technology Ventures, Marathon Petroleum Corporation, In-Q-Tel, Vista Energy, IP Group, Main Sequence, Fathom Fund, Hostplus, Breakthrough Victoria, and Monash University.
Captura, founded at Caltech and based in Pasadena, California, operates a membrane and stack manufacturing facility and has raised funding from Equinor Ventures, Aramco Ventures, Hitachi Ventures, Maersk Growth, and National Grid Partners.
