Life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions analysis of battery-grade lithium production in Finland

Journal Article · Sat Sep 27 20:00:00 EDT 2025 · Resources, Conservation and Recycling

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108592· OSTI ID:3008209

Iyer, Rakesh Krishnamoorthy ^[1]; Kelly, Jarod C. ^[1]; Wang, Michael ^[1]

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1. Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)

Various countries are undertaking initiatives to domestically produce battery-related critical materials. Within Finland, Keliber Technology Oy is developing capabilities for battery-grade lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LHM) production from spodumene ores. A detailed life-cycle assessment (LCA) of this pathway is conducted to determine its life-cycle GHG impacts using Argonne's R&D GREET (Research and Development Greenhouse gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy use in Technologies) model. The analysis shows life-cycle GHG emissions of similar to 9.2 kg CO_2-eq/kg LHM, dominated by contributions from three energy sources - diesel, natural gas, and electricity - and two material inputs - lime (CaO) and soda ash (Na₂CO₃). Sensitivity analyses highlight the potential to reduce these impacts using low-carbon electricity, sequestration of process CO₂ emissions generated during CaO and Na₂CO₃ production, and bio-based energy for LHM production (by similar to 15 % each). A comparative analysis shows lower impacts for Keliber's LHM than for existing LHM production from Australian spodumene ores processed in China (by similar to 40 %).

• Research Organization: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• Grant/Contract Number: AC02-06CH11357
• OSTI ID: 3008209
• Journal Information: Resources, Conservation and Recycling, Journal Name: Resources, Conservation and Recycling Vol. 225; ISSN 0921-3449
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

CCS
LCA
LHM
life-cycle analysis
lithium hydroxide monohydrate
spodumene