Reed Advanced Materials (RAM) is commercialising The ELi Process™, a patented process that directly converts lithium chloride brine, such as salar brines, geothermal brines, oilfield/produced waters and hard rock processed solutions, into battery-grade lithium hydroxide or carbonate—lowering costs, reducing carbon emissions, and fuelling the global energy transition.
As an essential material in lithium-ion batteries, lithium production and supply is critical for driving the global shift toward cleaner energy and advanced technologies. It supports the creation of two primary compounds that are essential in battery production:
A key ingredient in the cathode of high-power density battery formulations, e.g. long-range electric vehicles.
The key ingredient in lower power density lithium-ion batteries, which power electric cars and large-scale energy storage solutions that underpin the shift to renewable power grids. Also traditionally used in glass and ceramics to increase strength and heat resistance.
Decarbonisation: Enables the transition to low-emission transport and energy storage.
Industrial Versatility: Beyond batteries, used in pharmaceuticals, greases, and specialty chemicals.
Strategic Resource: Central to global efforts in meeting climate targets and achieving energy independence
The largest growth sector, with lithium batteries fuelling the rise of greener transport.
Grid-scale battery systems rely on lithium to balance power supply and demand.
Laptops, smartphones, and other devices rely on lithium-based power sources.
Glass, ceramics, and specialty chemicals benefit from lithium’s unique properties.
Lithium’s light weight and high energy density enable longer flight times for drones and efficient power for advanced robotics.
Discover how the ELi Process™ uses innovative electrolysis methods to meet the needs for lower cost, high purity lithium production. Each point demonstrates our commitment to efficiency, environmental responsibility, and commercial versatility.
The ELi Process™ technology replaces the consumption of large quantities of lime (Ca(OH)₂) and sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃) with electric power (via membrane electrolysis) to eliminate the need for expensive bulk reagents. This shift streamlines procurement and logistics, while internal recycling of lithium hydroxide purge streams and hydrochloric acid (HCl) further drives down OPEX.
By minimising bulk reagent usage, the technology reduces the scale of supply chains and cuts associated carbon emissions. Fewer shipments and less frequent transportation shrink the overall carbon footprint, and renewable electricity can be integrated to further decrease CO₂ output.
The ELi Process™ technology produces lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LHM) at battery-grade quality, as desired by the market. The hydroxide can be converted at low cost into high purity lithium carbonate, in a simple process that sequesters carbon dioxide. Furthermore the ELi Prcoess™ generates hydrochloric acid from hydrogen and chlorine by-products. This HCl can be reused or sold, creating an additional revenue stream while reducing waste.
Conventional processes often yield large volumes of calcium carbonate and sodium sulphate (expensive to produce, low price and competitive market), which require disposal. The ELi Process™ avoids producing these low-value by-products, cutting waste streams and improving environmental outcomes.
Our preferred commercial collaboration framework is a licensing model, offering flexibility across hard rock and brine feed sources for producing Lithium Hydroxide Monohydrate (LHM) and Lithium Carbonate (LC) at various commercial scales.
RAM’s patented process (ELi Process™) provides sustainable lithium hydroxide monohydrate (“LHM” / “LiOH.H2O”) and/or lithium carbonate (“Li2CO3”) production from lithium-containing feedstocks, such as natural brines or hard rock sources, through electrolysis. RAM wholly owns and holds 19 granted patents to the ELi Process™ worldwide in major lithium resource regions and has made applications for a further 14 patents.
The ELi Process™ is licenced to lithium producers for non-exclusive manufacturing of high-purity lithium hydroxide monohydrate and carbonate. RAM supplies the licence package with technology transfer and deployment services to the licensee during evaluation, design/construction, commissioning and operations . The licensee chooses an engineering contractor to build the facility according to the ELi Process™ Technology Package, brine process testing findings, recommended equipment vendors, plant production capacity criteria, and site services criteria.
The ELi Process™ Product includes:
Each of these have been developed to enable a licensee to successfully reach commercial scale operation of the technology.
Lithium-ion batteries are a key enabler of modern technology, with their cost shaping the affordability and accessibility of a wide range of applications. The price of lithium itself plays a pivotal role in battery production economics, influencing supply chains and industry growth. To ensure continued technological progress and commercial viability, securing a stable and competitively priced lithium supply at scale is essential. With demand rising steadily, the industry must focus on expanding production capacity and identifying new resource opportunities. The long-term success of this expansion will depend on maintaining a careful balance -ensuring production remains economically viable while keeping lithium prices at levels that support sustainable market growth.
Conventional lithium conversion methods are becoming less compatible with the goal of sustainably producing large volumes at low cost in reasonable price environments. Typical conversion of lithium into high purity carbonate and hydroxide requires large quantities of bulk chemical reagents, often through very long-distance supply chains that carry large carbon footprints.
Meanwhile, battery industry requirements for lithium compound purity continue to increase. Exploitation of new resource types is being enabled by new extraction methods such as Direct Lithium Extraction (“DLE”) that need efficient conversion into high purity compounds. The ELi Process™ addresses these challenges head-on by offering a more sustainable and efficient production process – one that aims to reduce operational costs (OPEX) and lowers emissions.
Without reliable, sustainable lithium production in sufficient quantities, the EV and clean energy revolution could stall, as Lithium resource availability is not the issue today. Innovative solutions like the ELi Process™ are crucial to ensure an affordable, scalable, low-carbon supply of lithium, Ultimately, facilitating the electrification of mobility solutions and the global transition to renewable energy. Because that’s where the transition begins—at the very start of the value chain.
We are a technology-focused company at the forefront of cleaner, more cost-effective lithium production. Through the ELi Process™, we streamline the journey for resource operators from raw brine to battery-grade material, slashing emissions, reducing costs, ensuring more profitable operation and assuring the unstoppable momentum of the worldwide, sustainable transition to electrification of our civilisation.
The ELi Process™ converts aqueous lithium chloride (LiCl) solutions that have been extracted from brines or hard rock sources into lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LHM) and, if needed, lithium carbonate, resulting in lower costs and less impact on the environment.
How It Works.
As global demand for lithium continues to accelerate, different sectors require high-performance, reliable sources of battery-grade material. The ELi Process™ offers a versatile solution that meets crucial performance targets while cutting operating expenditures and emissions.
Battery & EV Manufacturing: By reducing OPEX and lowering emissions, the ELi Process™ makes lithium chemicals more competitive and sustainable—crucial for high-performance EV batteries.
Mining & Resource Extraction: Primary extraction companies can integrate the ELi Process™ to convert LiCl brines or hard-rock Li solutions on-site, streamlining the downstream path to battery-grade products.
Large-Scale Energy Storage: Reliable, low-CO₂ lithium hydroxide is essential for stationary energy storage systems. The ELi Process™ ensures a secure, cost-effective supply chain.
Reed Advanced Materials Pty Ltd (“RAM”) is a 70:30 joint venture formed between Neometals Ltd, a company that facilitates and delivers stakeholder value by enabling the sustainable production of critical and valuable materials essential for a cleaner future, and Mineral Resources Limited, a leading diversified resources company with extensive operations in lithium, iron ore, energy and mining services across Western Australia.
The companies have rich and successful experience in the lithium industry, including the joint development of Western Australia’s Mt Marion Hard Rock Lithium Mine which is now one of the world’s largest producers of high-grade lithium concentrate.
The companies each continue to development their own portfolios of lithium assets and interests and have a proven record of scaling operations successfully.
Conventional lithium hydroxide production requires multiple chemical reactions, intensive reagent use, and large carbon footprints, which can hinder both profitability and sustainability. The ELi Process™, our proprietary process, was conceived to transform this paradigm.
Through the ELi Process™, we aim to reduce CAPEX, OPEX, minimise CO₂ emissions, and accelerate the global shift toward cleaner batteries. Our vision is to commercialise a solution that not only boosts business but also protects the environment.
Director
A veteran of the lithium mining sector, Chris Reed leads Neometals in championing the decarbonisation of critical minerals. His extensive industry experience and strategic vision drive the company’s transition from traditional resource extraction to a cutting-edge developer of advanced battery materials. Under his leadership, Neometals strives to set new benchmarks for sustainability, efficiency, and innovation in the global clean energy landscape.
Strategic Advisor, Commercial
Has over 30 years of experience in the critical materials sector, including expertise in lithium, tantalum, and vanadium. He holds a degree in Metallurgy and has a strong track record in maximising commercial performance and strategic development. Previously, he served as Chief Operating Officer and Head of Lithium at Neometals Ltd. He is currently Strategic Advisor, Commercial to RAM, focusing on innovative lithium conversion processes.
Development focused on proof of electrolysis concept (using synthetic LiCl solutions) and assessing the digestion of spodumene concentrates in hydrochloric acid. The team successfully established that the ELi Process™ approach is technically sound and economically viable, concluding in a final feasibility study for a 20,000tpa production plant in Malaysia.
Development focused on adapting the purification process flowsheets to the very different impurity profiles found in brine concentrates arising from conventional solar concentration and from DLE extraction processes and different subsurface sources.
Conducted at ALS (Perth, Australia), MEAB (Aachen, Germany), SGS (Lakefield, Canada), ESC using synthetic and proprietary brine solutions to develop the purification and the electrolysis flow sheets and performance.
Brine Engineering Cost Study:
Reference to relevant NMT announcement
Brine Pilot Testing Campaign testing:
Reference to relevant NMT announcement
Continuous demonstration plant trials aiming to validate the ELi Process™ for industrial scale operations with adequate risk tolerance.
Reed Advanced Materials Pty Ltd
ACN 142 876 211
Level 1/1292, Hay St
West Perth WA 6005
