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Portuguese business eyes 2 lithium refineries in Iberia by 2030

A newlyestablished Portuguese company backed by a wealthy business corporation is wanting to construct two lithium refineries in the Iberian Peninsula by 2030, its chief executive said on Tuesday.

Lifthium, helmed by CEO Duarte Braga, said the lithium refineries would be built in the northern Portuguese municipality of Estarreja, and in Torrelaverga, in the Spanish region of Cantabria.

With some 60,000 tonnes of known reserves, Portugal is already Europe's greatest producer of lithium, traditionally mined for ceramics.

In addition to neighbouring Spain, the nation wishes to take advantage of local lithium deposits, intending to cover the whole worth chain from mining and refining to cell and battery manufacturing to battery recycling.

The strategy remains in line with Europe's drive to minimize its reliance on countries such as China for crucial products for the green shift.

Practically 80% of lithium refining comes from China and what we want to try to do is to reverse (that trend), Braga told members of Portugal's foreign press association.

Among Lifthium's refineries would be prepared by 2027 and the other by 2030, but the company still does not know in which of the 2 countries it would have the ability to construct initially. Lifthium price quotes the jobs would together cost around 1 billion euros ($ 1.1 billion).

Its primary shareholder is among Portugal's greatest corporations, Jose de Mello, which owns the nation's biggest chemical manufacturer Bondalti and private healthcare operator CUF.

The refineries are set to be built in areas where Bondalti currently has sites, Braga stated, adding the lithium hydroxide it plans to produce would be enough to power batteries for one million electric lorries per year.

Lifthium is preparing to source the raw products from different areas worldwide, including South America. When the raw product is improved, Lifthium's main customers would be EV battery and car producers.

Among the difficulties is getting the licences to construct the refineries, with Braga warning the company might not manage to wait numerous years.

In other regions (outside Europe), licensing is faster, Braga said. We likewise need to react to these obstacles.

(source: Reuters)