LANXESS has unveiled a cutting-edge solution for the fast-growing battery industry with its new ion exchange resin, Lewatit MK 51. This advanced technology is designed to selectively remove boron from metal concentrates, ensuring the extraction of high-purity raw materials essential for battery production.
Unlike conventional solvent extraction methods, the ion exchange technology employed by Lewatit MK 51 eliminates the need for hazardous, flammable solvents. This not only enhances sustainability but also reduces investment costs by eliminating the requirement for explosion protection equipment. Additionally, ion exchange plants utilising Lewatit MK 51 can be constructed in a more compact manner, optimising operational efficiency.
“With Lewatit MK 51 for the selective removal of boron from metal concentrates such as lithium ore, we are expanding our solution portfolio for the battery industry,” stated Dr Dirk Steinhilber, Application Technology Manager in LANXESS’ Liquid Purification Technologies business unit.
The demand for high-quality batteries with superior energy density and extended lifespan continues to rise. To meet these requirements, battery metals like lithium, nickel, and cobalt must be processed to achieve the highest possible purity. However, due to natural ore compositions, these metals are often contaminated with boron, which must be selectively removed.
“Lewatit MK 51 is ideal for this application as it exclusively binds boron without interfering with other key components of the metal concentrates, such as sulphate, hydrogen carbonate, and chloride,” added Steinhilber. “This simplifies the production of high-purity battery metal concentrates that can be seamlessly processed further.”
The use of ion exchange technology in refining processes significantly enhances efficiency and contributes to the production of high-performance batteries with a favourable CO2 and water balance. Since substantial volumes of water are utilised in ore processing—ranging from raw ore cleaning to metal extraction—recovering and separating metal ions is crucial for both economic and environmental reasons.
Lewatit ion exchange resins offer a selective approach to metal ion binding, making them effective in removing by-products such as zinc from nickel and cobalt electrolytes or cobalt from nickel salt solutions. These metal ions are extracted from aqueous solutions and concentrated on the ion exchange resin, facilitating further processing and efficient recovery from wastewater streams.
