Geothermal Engineering Ltd (GEL) has reported that it has now produced lithium carbonate from deep geothermal brine at its facility in Cornwall, UK with more than 99.3% purity, which the classifies it as ‘technical grade’ material. This means that it meets the purity requirements for battery producers, providing a pathway for GEL to supply lithium carbonate without the need for further refinement.
Technical Grade lithium carbonate is traded internationally, including through markets such as the Shanghai Metals Market. As of August 20, 2026, the reference price was approximately $22,000 per tonne.
Following the commencement of production in February 2026, the GEL plant in Cornwall has a production capacity of 100 tonnes of lithium carbonate per annum and aims to establish a leading position in Europe’s emerging lithium industry. Producing technical grade lithium carbonate represents another significant step for GEL and brings the UK one step closer to establishing a domestic supply of battery-grade lithium materials.
“We are demonstrating that it is possible to produce a high-quality, saleable lithium product in the UK with the highest environmental standards, creating the potential for a more secure and sustainable domestic supply of this critical battery material,” said Dr Ryan Law, CEO of GEL.
“This achievement marks an important step in our journey from pioneering technological development to large scale production.”
In an interview, Law stated that the integration of lithium production with a geothermal power plant has significantly improved the economics of the project through the addition of a high-value revenue stream. Geothermal brine at the United Downs site was tested to have up to 360 ppm of lithium, which was higher than nearly any other geothermal lithium projects in the world.
GEL is well-positioned to play an important role in contributing to the UK Government’s target of meeting 10% of the UK’s critical mineral demands from domestic production by 2035, including at least 50,000 tons of lithium carbonate. Production at the United Downs site is forecasted to hit around 2,000 tonnes per annum by 2029. As other sites are added, the anticipated total production from GEL will increase to 30,000 tonnes per annum by 2033, meeting over 60% of the UK’s lithium target alone.
Earlier this year, GEL secured funding from the UK Government that will go towards the expansion of lithium extraction operations.
“United Downs shows the huge opportunity the UK has to build a domestic supply of lithium carbonate in a sustainable way. It will strengthen the UK’s critical minerals supply chain and reindustrialise the country,” said Julian Hetherington MBE, Director of Automotive Transformation at the APC.
“DRIVE 35 is proud to have supported the project with a £1.8 million grant through our Automotive Transformation Fund, to help reach this important milestone. We look forward to continuing to work with GEL as it scales production across the UK.”
Source: Geothermal Engineering Ltd
