My Lithium Trajectory

My name is Peter Ehren, and I have been serving the Lithium Industry for more than 25 years. My interest in lithium started during my Master’s program at the Technical University of Delft. For my Master's Thesis, I investigated lithium recovery using Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) from geothermal brines at BHP Minerals’ site at the Salton Sea. Following my Master’s program, I started my career as a Process Engineer at SQM in Chile, then later as R&D Manager until 2007.

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​Following SQM, my partner, Macarena González  Prieto, and I co-founded a new company in 2007 named Process & Environmental Consultancy (PEC). We were singularly focused on solving a range of technological and ESG challenges in the Lithium-, Boron- and Potassium sectors.

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​PEC provided us with a unique opportunity to visit a majority of the lithium basins and production facilities throughout the world. Over the decades, we developed and implemented successful projects ranging in size from lab-scale to full-scale production. We evaluated many lithium brine and mineral operations, including Salar de Atacama (Chile), Salar Olaroz (Argentina), Cauchari (Argentina), Silver Peak (Nevada), Greenbushes (Australia), and Qinghai Basis (China), to name just a few. We actively participated in projects where extractors employed numerous refining methods to extract lithium from hard-rock, brine, and clay.

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The Birth of Lithium Ark

During the COVID period, with less traveling and more time for reflection, I started thinking about common problems in the lithium industry—particularly the high use of reagents like soda ash, lime, and hydrochloric acid. I decided to explore new ideas and, while experimenting with reciprocal salt systems, I discovered the remarkable chemistry between Potassium Hydroxide and Lithium Chloride. This led me to develop a process for producing Lithium Hydroxide, with an optional phase for Lithium Carbonate. Initially, I tested it using software, then validated it in the lab and through semi-continuous pilot testing.

At Lithium Ark, we took the next steps in developing the technology. Our testing with solar and DLE brines yielded positive results, supported by financial and equipment analyses. This advanced the technology to TRL 6, with the possibility of moving directly to TRL 9, as is common in the industry for crystallization projects. While we have the option to go through TRL 7 and 8 using a demonstration plant, it’s not necessary! If we do, it would primarily serve as a sales tool for the technology.

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​Commitment to a Sustainable Future

Like many other players in the lithium supply chain, my business partner and I are driven by a strong sense of responsibility to act as good stewards of our environment. We are partnering with other like-minded industry leaders to transition the lithium sector to Greener solutions.

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With Lithium Ark Refining, the industry now has the means to truly de-carbonize and greenify the lithium supply chain. There is no value to waiting.

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