Element3, a Fort Worth-based company specializing in critical material extraction from oil and gas wastewater, has announced a significant achievement.
According to a news release, Element3 has successfully produced battery-grade lithium carbonate from Midland Basin oil and gas wastewater at a recycling facility owned by a subsidiary of Double Eagle Energy Holdings IV, LLC. This development marks a breakthrough in sustainable lithium extraction, with the company set to commence commercial production this year.
"This is another milestone as we work toward utilizing oil and gas wastewater as an efficient and economical source of battery-grade lithium materials, securing the U.S. supply chain," said Hood Whitson, founder and CEO of Element3. Whitson added that the company had purchased lithium carbonate processing equipment to begin commercial production in 2025.
The news release further states that manufacturing lithium carbonate from unconcentrated produced water represents a breakthrough in developing a sustainable domestic lithium supply. The carbonate was produced from lithium extracted at Element3’s second-generation field demonstration plant, which validates the scalability of Element3’s patented process. The company is currently commissioning its full-scale lithium carbonate plant.