Battery maker LG Energy Solution 373220 -1.01% and Australian lithium company Liontown Resources LTR 7.30% will jointly consider developing a refinery for producing battery-grade lithium, as companies plot new supply chains that bypass China even amid a collapse in prices for the critical mineral.
The collaboration is part of an expanded partnership between the pair that includes an investment of $250 million by LG Energy Solution in Liontown via convertible notes, and an expanded supply deal for lithium-rich spodumene concentrate from the Australian company’s Kathleen Valley project.
