Lithium (symbol Li, atomic number 3) is the lightest solid element on the periodic table and the engine powering our modern world. Its low density makes it an integral component of many battery technologies today. Highly pure lithium carbonate or hydroxide goes into the cathode active materials, which are the battery’s positive electrodes that enable energy storage — and determine how well it performs. These batteries can range in size, charging anything from smartphones to electric vehicles (EVs) and battery energy storage systems (BESS) for the electricity grid.Â
Lithium is a silvery-white alkali metal that sits near sodium and potassium on the periodic table. It is soft enough to cut with a knife and comes from either hard rock (spodumene) in Australia or brines in the ‘lithium triangle’ of Chile, Argentina and Bolivia.Â
Umicore began producing cathode active materials (CAM) for lithium-ion rechargeable batteries at its Korean Battery Cathode Materials site in 2000. Today, we produce CAM including high-purity lithium to serve diverse applications, from electronics to EVs. Umicore has also pioneered in battery recycling, achieving over 90% recovery rates of lithium at our battery smelter in Hoboken, which helps to close the materials loop.
The essential lithium brief: five things to know
Ideal for batteries
Lithium is the lightest solid metal, enabling high energy density and long-lasting performance for batteries. Global demand for lithium has soared as lithium-ion batteries have come to power our modern lives.
As old as time
Lithium was one of the three elements produced in large quantities by the big bang. It was discovered by a Swedish chemist, Johan Arfwedson, in 1817, but it wasn’t until 1923 that scientists could isolate it on an industrial scale using electrolysis.
Strategic importance for Europe
With limited primary lithium resources in Europe, recycling and responsible sourcing are vital to secure supply and meet the EU’s Critical Raw Materials goals.
A versatile metal
As well as batteries, lithium can be found in ceramics, mental health medication, lubricants and —according to popular belief — even the original 7Up drink.
Between rocks and brines
Lithium owes its name to the Greek word lithos, which means stone, as 60% of industrially-used lithium is extracted from hard-rock deposits. The rest comes mainly from brine sources.
