The newly combined platform brings upstream extraction and downstream refining under a single operational umbrella—a strategy that responds directly to inefficiencies in the current lithium market, where multiple vendors often manage disconnected stages of production. These handoffs have historically led to project delays, cost inflation, and technical bottlenecks—issues the new platform aims to eliminate.
As the EV and energy storage markets put pressure on global lithium supply, Aquatech’s vertically integrated model is designed to simplify execution for resource developers. The company’s modular approach aims to reduce technical risk and shorten project timelines, enhancing bankability in a sector known for long lead times and high capital intensity.
A major part of the deal includes Aquatech assuming operational control over ongoing projects that already use the Li-Pro DLE technology. Among them is the joint development project with Standard Lithium in Arkansas’s Smackover Formation, one of the largest U.S.-based lithium developments. Also transferring is the licensing agreement with Smackover Lithium, a joint venture between Standard Lithium and Equinor, targeting initial production of 22,500 tons per year by 2028.
The Li-Pro system itself isn’t untested tech. It has already logged over 12,000 operating cycles, achieving lithium recovery rates above 95% in demonstration environments. That commercial proof point gives Aquatech a tangible head start as it seeks to scale the platform across large, capital-intensive projects.
Dave Dotson, President of Koch Engineered Solutions, confirmed the decision to hand off the DLE business was about enabling faster deployment: “Koch Technology Solutions has proven the Li-Pro LSS technology as a successful DLE solution, and the time has come to scale it for the market. Aquatech is uniquely placed to scale this technology and deliver it into projects as a cost competitive, end-to-end process solution, creating significant value for the lithium industry,”
Koch isn’t exiting the lithium space entirely. The company retains strategic interests in multiple parts of the lithium and battery supply chain, including equity stakes in companies aligned with its long-term vision for energy transition technologies.
The acquisition highlights a wider trend in the critical minerals market, where technology providers are consolidating to deliver more holistic solutions. For mid-tier or emerging lithium developers lacking internal process expertise, the value of a one-stop shop—backed by demonstrated performance—could prove pivotal in securing financing and speeding up timelines.
