Australia Could Grab 20% of World’s Lithium Refining by 2027
- Government report predicts rapid growth in local processing
- Global demand growing for battery metals that bypass China
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Australia is poised to grab a fifth of the world’s lithium hydroxide refining capacity within five years as demand grows for battery metals that bypass China, Canberra said in a report.
China produces more than 80% of the world’s lithium hydroxide, a processed form of the in-demand metal, according to the International Energy Agency. However, several companies are building refineries in Australia that would turn locally-mined lithium ore into battery-grade chemicals.