S10E2 - The Bill Gates Jewel that Pivoted from Water to Chemical Free Lithium Refining - a podcast by Antoine Walter
from 2023-08-16T03:00
with ποΈ Saad Dara - CEO and Founder of Mangrove LithiumΒ
π§ Mangrove Lithium produces battery-grade lithium hydroxide or carbonate from a wide array of raw sources
What we covered:
π How Mangrove Lithium, initially focusing on water treatment and desalination, found the ideal product-market fit within the lithium industry.Β
β»οΈ How the circularity of chemicals, environmental benefits, and potential for zero-emission processes play a crucial role in Mangrove's approach to lithium conversion.Β
π How Saad Dara spun the company out in 2017, completing his PhD in 2020, and is on the path to commercialization, aiming to co-locate and operate systems with lithium production companies.Β
π How the simplicity and flexibility of their operations sets them apart, with the ability to change feedstock and product quickly, offering more choices in a volatile lithium market.Β
π οΈ How their secret sauce lies not in membranes but in the cathode, providing unique value in energy consumption and purity, a major differentiator in the industry.Β
π Why their approach appeals to both small and large producers, offering a standardized, modular system that fits various scales, potentially serving as a cooperative refining platform.Β
π What makes them stand out in the global market is the possibility of bringing lithium refining to regions like North America and Europe, potentially altering the current China-dominated landscape.Β
π How their technology could redefine the lithium market by being a perfect fit for cooperative refining, an innovative model that could support smaller players as they grow.Β
π How modularity in plant design allows flexibility, optimizing both CAPEX and OPEX, from 3000 to 15,000 tons per year, and the thoughtful combination of modules based on needs.Β
π€ Why taking a holistic and consultative approach to the supply chain, working side by side with partners, leads to a more successful and optimized process.Β
π What differentiates the company's electrochemical approach from other market players like Vulcan, and why their system is simpler and safer to operate.Β
π How focusing on demonstrating a 3000 tons per year system can remove market skepticism, and why operating at a commercially relevant scale and time period is crucial.Β
π‘ Why strong backing by BMW iVentures and Breakthrough Energy Ventures highlights confidence and credibility in the company's innovative approach - and how Bill Gates is cool (ok, I'm the one adding this)Β
π€ What makes Mangroveβs βboxesβ unique and how they are working to prove their efficiency and effectiveness in real-world applications.Β
π€ How the conversation unveils the company's vision, backing, synergies, and future plans, providing a multi-dimensional insight into the world of lithium processing and innovation.Β
π’ How Lithium Valley emerged I coin a term for Vancouver's status as the lithium company capital, with a mystery Saad chalks up to community development.Β
π€ What makes competitors collaborators: Saad discusses the complementary fit between Saltworks and Mangrove Lithium, shedding a competitive light on the cooperative spirit of the industry.Β
π How to get started with Mangrove Lithium
π€ What makes the flexible model appealing: Saad explains Mangrove's customizable models for providing technology or production services, reflecting the company's adaptability in the growing lithium industry.Β
β»οΈ Why all lithium sources are vital
π₯ ... and of course, we concluded with the π§ππ₯ππ πππ§π π¦πͺππ¨π©ππ€π£π¨ π₯
π Come say hi to Saad on LinkedInΒ
π Check Mangrove Lithium's website
β‘οΈ Check out the entire article on how Mangrove Lithium is a Jewel in Bill Gates' crown Β
β‘οΈ Reach out to me: antoine@dww.showΒ
Further episodes of (don't) Waste Water!
Further podcasts by Antoine Walter
Website of Antoine Walter