UK : Cornish Lithium makes history by producing first Lithium Hydroxide refined in UK
Cornish Lithium announced on 24 October 2025 that it has become the first company in UK which started production of refined lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LHM). The LHM is produced from Cornwall’s granite at the Trelavour Demonstration Plant in St Dennis, Cornwall. The company is repurposing a former china clay quarry and it is using innovative low-carbon processing technology for producing the refined LHM.
Cornwall is reported to contain the largest lithium deposits in Europe which would be enough fulfil the demand of at least 50% lithium for all EVs expected to be produced in the UK by 2030.
Commenting on the announcement, Cornish Lithium CEO, Jamie Airnes, said: “This is a watershed moment for the UK’s industrial capabilities and economic resilience. For the first time ever as a country, we have now demonstrated the ability to produce one of the raw materials on which we all increasingly rely. It is testament to the strength of our research, our innovative approach and the dedication of the Cornish Lithium team.”
He added: “This once-in-a-generation breakthrough marks the latest stage in Cornish Lithium’s journey to secure a domestic supply of lithium for the UK automotive and battery industries, securing the UK’s future jobs, lithium supply chain and economic growth.”
The UK’s first refined lithium hydroxide samples were produced at Cornish Lithium’s state-of-the-art demonstration plant. The custom-built facility incorporates all processing stages from crushing and grinding the rock, separation of the lithium-bearing minerals and processing of these minerals to produce a refined lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LHM).
Cornish Lithium acquired the patented, low-carbon processing technology from Australian company Lepidico in early 2025 which is being used in the Demonstration Plant. The Lepidico process turned out to be highly effective, and it has now been fully optimised by improvements made at the plant. Cornish Lithium stated that it plans to market the technology internationally given the success that has been achieved in recent months.
Following the success of the Demonstration Plant, Cornish Lithium plans to build a full-scale lithium processing and refining plant with an annual capacity of up to 10,000 tonnes of LHM, which is expected to commence full-scale production in 2029.
