LANXESS has introduced Lewatit MK51, an ion exchange resin designed to selectively remove boron from metal concentrates. This advanced technology enables the extraction of high-purity raw materials essential for battery production.
Unlike solvent extraction, ion exchange technology eliminates the need for environmentally harmful, flammable solvents. This not only enhances sustainability but also reduces investment costs, as facilities do not require explosion protection measures. Additionally, ion exchange plants are more compact, making them easier to integrate into existing operations.
“With Lewatit MK51, we are expanding our solution portfolio for the battery industry by offering a selective method to remove boron from metal concentrates like lithium ore,” said Dr. Dirk Steinhilber, Application Technology Manager at LANXESS’ Liquid Purification Technologies business unit.
Lewatit MK51 Ensures Ultra-Pure Battery Metals
Producing high quality batteries with long life and high energy density requires ultra-pure metals such as lithium, nickel, and cobalt. However, during mining, these metals often become contaminated with boron, which must be removed to maintain purity.
Lewatit MK51 selectively binds only boron, ensuring that other components like sulfate, hydrogen carbonate, and chloride remain unaffected. “This selectivity makes it easier to produce high-purity battery metal concentrates, which can then be further processed efficiently,” explains Steinhilber.
Driving Sustainability in Battery Metal Refining
Ion exchange technology enables highly efficient and sustainable refining processes, contributing to battery production with a lower CO₂ footprint and optimized water usage. Mining operations consume large quantities of water, from raw ore cleaning to metal extraction. Recovering and separating metal ions from wastewater is essential for both economic and environmental reasons.
Lewatit ion exchange resins bind specific metal ions selectively, allowing manufacturers to:
- Remove zinc from nickel and cobalt electrolytes
- Separate cobalt from nickel salt solutions
- Concentrate metal ions on the resin for further processing or recovery from wastewater streams
As per the press release, with Lewatit MK51, LANXESS offers an efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable solution for refining battery metals, ensuring higher purity and better performance for next-generation batteries.
