SEOUL — POSCO Holdings announced on June 10 that it will become the first South Korean company to validate its proprietary Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technology in the United States, targeting low-concentration brine.

The company signed an agreement with Anson Resources, an Australian miner, to build and operate a DLE demonstration plant in Green River, Utah. DLE technology can extract lithium from low-concentration sources more economically than traditional methods. It delivers higher recovery rates and shorter production cycles than conventional evaporation, making it a key next-generation technology for the global battery industry.

Under the contract, POSCO will handle the plant's design, construction, and operation to verify its commercial viability. Anson Resources will supply the site, infrastructure, and brine, while managing local permitting processes.

POSCO Holdings has been developing DLE technology since 2016, conducting pilot tests with various brine sources, including those from Argentina. This project marks POSCO's first attempt to validate its independent technology in the global market. The company aims to establish a stable lithium supply chain and secure a competitive edge in North America by proving its economic viability even with low-grade resources.

The company plans to complete the demonstration plant by 2027 and finalize technical validation using actual brine by 2028. Lee Ju-tae, President of POSCO Holdings, stated, "This project is a strategic investment to dominate the global market. We will leverage our technological edge to strengthen competitiveness in North America."

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]