PARIS, July 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese lithium giant Tianqi Lithium Corporation, has recently reached a cooperation agreement with Livista Energy, a leader in the European lithium chemicals industry. The cooperation is expected to strongly support the future development of both sides in Europe.
Through its diversified raw material production, Tianqi will supply Livista with spodumene, an important ore of lithium, according to the agreement. The two sides also wish to collaborate in research and development to offer better technical support for local lithium production, in particular for the next generation of batteries. Besides, the two sides will explore future investment opportunities together in Europe.
The cooperation is mainly based on Livista's lithium refining plant to be constructed in Le Havre, a major port city in northern France.
"Tianqi is one of the largest producers in the world, fully integrated, from mining to refining to battery production," said Roland Getreide, president and co-founder of Livista, who already envisions Le Havre as a future European lithium hub.
"We are extremely happy to have initiated this strategic partnership with Tianqi. Such partnership will anchor Livista as a key player in the electromobility ecosystem in Europe," he added.
Transforming ore into lithium carbonate or lithium hydroxide is a highly complex process that generates significant startup losses. French media pointed out that Chinese groups, such as Tianqi, have unique experience in this area. That's why Jean-Marc Ichbia, CEO of Livista, also applauded the cooperation. He believed that the technical cooperation will ensure that the processes of the company's Le Havre refinery achieve the quality required by customers. He also expected the agreement to be a catalyst in securing the first line of production of its Le Havre plant, which will generate up to 300 direct local jobs, 250 outsourced jobs, and over 1,200 indirect jobs.
The cooperation will largely benefit Tianqi as well, by granting the company with options for joint investments in Europe. This will allow it to be present in Europe and remain compliant with future European standards.
"As a new energy materials company with lithium as the core, Tianqi Lithium has established partnerships with global customers by virtue of the advantages of the vertically integrated global industrial chain to jointly help the electric vehicle and energy storage industries achieve long-term sustainable development of lithium-ion battery technology," commented Frank Ha, CEO of Tianqi. (Contributed by Li Wenxin, edited by Yang Yajun, Yang Yifan with Xinhua Silk Road, yangyifan@xinhua.org)
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