TSX-V-listed Li-FT Power has started a scoping study into the construction of a lithium carbonate converter to be integrated with its Yellowknife lithium project in the Northwest Territories, in Canada.

The converter project will have a planned production capacity of 30 000 t/y of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) of battery-grade lithium carbonate, sourcing future feedstock from the Yellowknife project.

Li-FT Power says the launch of the scoping study is coordinated with the emerging regional demand considerations, as the lithium battery value chain continues to evolve and develop in Canada and more broadly the North American market.

Lithium carbonate is a key chemical input material used in the production of cathode active materials and electrolyte, which are both key components used in the manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries.

The decision to focus the scoping study on the future production of lithium carbonate, has taken into consideration that it is the preferred input material used in the production of lithium ferro phosphate (LFP) cathode materials.

The LFP chemistry has continued its growth in not only electric vehicle (EV) applications, where LFP is growing in adoption particularly within the mass market vehicle segment, but more notably and significantly in recent years within the energy storage system (ESS) sector.

According to the International Energy Agency, LFP-based technology in 2025 commanded a share in the global EV market of more than 50%, while it dominates the global ESS market with a share of more than 90%.

For the scoping study, Li-FT Power notes that it has elected to partner with SCT – an engineering design, technology and equipment provider focused on the lithium chemicals and battery materials sector.

SCT was established in 2002 and has offices in Australia, South Korea, China, Indonesia and Germany – providing engineering and technology solutions for lithium minerals conversion, refinery and cathode active material projects.

To date, Li-FT Power says SCT has built one of the strongest records of project execution in the lithium industry, participating in over 60 lithium conversion facility projects worldwide resulting in a total of one-million tonnes a year LCE of planned production capacity, of which 650 000 t/y LCE capacity has entered into operations and production at or above nameplate capacity, involving an aggregate capital investment of well over $7-billion to date.

The company says SCT is a specialist in the area of pyrometallurgy and has built up deep experience in handling the conversion and processing of a multitude of lithium minerals, including spodumene concentrate, lepidolite concentrate and clay from various lithium resource projects around the world.

“I am excited to see Li-FT Power advancing its integrated downstream strategy with the commencement of this study,” says Li-FT Power executive chairperson Anthony Tse.

He notes that the converter project will allow the company to further add value by processing the mined spodumene concentrate from its Yellowknife lithium project and processing it all the way through to lithium chemicals, thus importantly capturing that value locally.

He says this strategy also allows the company to play an important role in supporting the build-out of a vertically integrated domestic supply chain in Canada, providing a key input for the future production of battery materials which in turn will support cell manufacturing in the region.

“I am also pleased to be establishing this relationship between Li-FT Power and SCT, a strong technology and engineering partner with an invaluable depth of experience to support the company’s integrated downstream strategy going forward.”