The company behind a 1,000-job plan to build the UK’s first lithium hydroxide refinery on Teesside has signed a 30-year lease for its site.

Tees Valley Lithium says the refinery is expected to produce enough lithium hydroxide to supply 100% of the demand in the UK by 2030.

The lease has been signed with Sembcorp Energy UK in respect of its site at Wilton International in Teesside.

Under the terms of an Agreement for Lease, which was signed today, TVL has an option for up to a year to enter into the agreed long-term lease.

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Tees Valley Lithium has received full permission from Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council to construct the refinery at the Wilton International Chemicals Park and feed into the vast demand for battery power as the UK needs more electric vehicles on its roads.

A key driver for TVL's site selection within the Teesside Freeport amongst a hub of decarbonisation innovation, is Sembcorp Energy UK's 'plug & play' infrastructure, and readily-accessible utilities including water, gas, steam and electricity.

The refinery will be capable of producing both lithium hydroxide and lithium carbonate sourced from imported high grade feedstock from South America and lithium producers located in Australia and elsewhere. The refinery is expected to produce enough lithium hydroxide to supply 100% of the forecasted automotive demand in the UK by 2030, with a further 35% of its total production available for export to other countries in Europe and elsewhere.

Utilising state-of-the-art electrochemical processing, TVL's zero waste lithium refinery will be the largest in Europe - producing 96,000tpa of low-carbon battery-grade lithium hydroxide once in full production - equivalent to 15% of projected European demand.

Andy Koss, CEO UK & Middle East, Sembcorp Industries, said: "It's great to see Tees Valley Lithium committed to Teesside and further supporting the net zero supply chain. At Wilton International, Sembcorp Energy UK is ready to welcome new businesses and jobs that will help enable the transition to a low-carbon economy."

Sam Quinn, Director of Alkemy commented: "We are delighted to have agreed the terms of a Long Term Lease at the world-class Wilton International site in Teesside.

"This represents another significant milestone for Tees Valley Lithium as we seek to become Europe's first and largest independent and sustainable lithium hydroxide processing hub.

"We would like to thank the highly supportive team at Sembcorp Energy UK and look forward to working together with them as we develop and construct our refinery."

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