In a move poised to accelerate sustainable lithium production, UK-based filtration innovator Evove and Japanese water treatment specialist Kurita Water Industries have entered a strategic alliance to advance and scale Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technologies worldwide. This partnership aims to address the surging global demand for lithium—fuelled by the rapid growth of electric vehicles (EVs), energy storage systems, and portable electronics.
Combining Strengths for a Sustainable Lithium Future
The collaboration integrates Evove’s proprietary DLE technologies with Kurita’s decades of experience in modular water treatment and engineering. Together, the companies intend to commercially deploy DLE systems as early as November 2025. Additional projects are planned across Europe and the United States in 2026.
As part of the agreement, Kurita becomes Evove’s largest shareholder and its exclusive delivery partner for DLE projects. The partnership also grants Kurita non-exclusive access to Evove’s broader suite of advanced separation technologies. It includes its upcoming Separonics product line, slated for launch in 2026.
Validating Innovation at Scale
Evove’s mission to “filter the unfilterable” has recently gained tangible momentum. The company successfully validated its DLE solution at a 1:15 scale demonstration plant in collaboration with Northern Lithium in County Durham, UK. The pilot project confirmed the site’s potential to yield over 20,000 tonnes of high-purity lithium per year. It also showcased strong recovery rates and industrial scalability.
Leaders Emphasize Shared Vision
“We firmly believe that the key to unlocking efficient and sustainable lithium production lies in advanced water treatment, an area in which Kurita has excelled for 75 years,” said Chris Wyres, CEO of Evove. “This alliance allows lithium producers to confidently source a cutting-edge DLE solution from a true powerhouse in the water industry. We’re set to begin engineering our first commercial DLE plant by November this year, with multiple projects in the EU and USA progressing throughout 2026,” Wyres added.
Echoing this optimism, Hideyuki Komori, Kurita’s lithium leader, remarked, “We are delighted to collaborate with Evove to expand into the growing DLE market. By combining Evove’s exceptional DLE technology with Kurita’s deep expertise in water treatment and modular plant systems, we aim to deliver rapid, scalable, and sustainable solutions to the global lithium industry.”
Accelerating the Clean Energy Transition
Through this alliance, Evove and Kurita are positioning themselves at the forefront of the global clean energy transition. As reported by filtsep.com, by leveraging water treatment innovation and advanced filtration science. The partners seek to make lithium extraction cleaner, faster, and more resource-efficient—paving the way for a sustainable energy future.
