As demand for battery-grade lithium skyrockets, we’re delivering a world-class, independent solution to one of the energy transition’s biggest bottlenecks: refining capacity.
Our mission is clear - to create a secure, low-carbon, and scalable supply of high-purity lithium for the European electric vehicle and energy storage markets.
Our facility will begin production in 2027 with a 25,000 tpa Phase 1 and scale up to 100,000 tpa — enough to supply more than 2 million electric vehicles per year.
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As the UK accelerates toward its 2050 net zero target, the spotlight is turning toward the foundational materials driving the green transition—none more critical than lithium.
From powering electric vehicles to storing renewable energy, lithium-ion batteries are central to decarbonising transport and energy systems. Yet, while demand is soaring, the UK remains almost entirely dependent on international supply chains for refined lithium. In a time of growing geopolitical tension, export bans, and market volatility, this reliance presents a significant strategic vulnerability.
At Tees Valley Lithium, we believe domestic refining capacity is no longer optional—it is essential for the UK’s clean energy future. Addressing the Bottleneck in the Battery.
Supply Chain
Lithium itself is not scarce. It is mined in regions such as Australia, South America, and parts of Africa. However, the true pinch point lies in refining—transforming raw lithium into battery-grade lithium hydroxide or carbonate, the form required for high-performance electric vehicle batteries.
Today, more than 90 percent of the world’s lithium is refined in East Asia. Even when mined in stable, allied nations, the raw material often travels thousands of miles for processing before being shipped again to European manufacturers. This not only embeds unnecessary emissions into the supply chain but also leaves countries like the UK exposed to price fluctuations, trade disruptions, and delays.
To ensure long-term growth, businesses must focus on strategies that prioritize stability
The Urgent Need for UK Capacity
The UK has committed to ending the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2035, with a rapid transition to electric vehicles already underway. According to the Faraday Institution, domestic demand for battery-grade lithium could exceed 70,000 tonnes per year by 2030. At present, there is no large-scale refining capacity in the UK to meet this need.
Without the ability to process lithium on home soil, the UK risks missing out on the economic, strategic, and environmental benefits that come from localised, value-added production.
Tees Valley Lithium: A National Asset in the Making
Our facility at Wilton International in Teesside is being developed to address this gap. Once operational, it will be one of the first independent lithium hydroxide refineries in Europe.
Tees Valley Lithium will:
Provide a secure and reliable supply of battery-grade lithium to UK and European gigafactories
Reduce carbon emissions by shortening transport routes and using cleaner processing technologies
Create high-value employment and investment in the North East of England
Support the UK’s Critical Minerals Strategy and strengthen domestic supply chain resilience
Building a Net Zero Economy from the Ground Up
The green transition requires more than pledges. It requires industrial action and infrastructure that reflects the urgency and scale of the challenge. Domestic lithium refining offers the UK an opportunity to lead, not follow, in the race toward sustainable transport and energy systems.
At Tees Valley Lithium, we are proud to be building that foundation. By anchoring critical mineral processing in the UK, we are not just refining lithium—we are refining the future.
Lithium is at the heart of the clean‑energy revolution. It’s what makes electric vehicles, smartphones and grid-scale batteries tick. Tees Valley Lithium (TVL) is seizing this moment by bringing high‑purity, low‑carbon lithium refining to Teesside—and the benefits are set to reverberate across the North East of England.
Economic momentum for Teesside
The Tees Valley economic area is already on a growth trajectory. Between 2020 and 2021, the region saw 4.1 % job growth, with a Strategic Economic Plan targeting 26,000 new jobs and £2.8 billion in GVA by 2026. TVL is set to play a vital role in delivering on those ambitions.
Construction of the refinery - expected to begin around 2025/26 - will bring more than 1,000 skilled jobs, including apprenticeships and contracts across the supply chain. A mid‑2024 report found that since 2019, Tees Valley’s Investment Plan has already supported over 10,600 direct jobs and generated £1.48 billion in GVA. TVL’s development will build on this momentum.
Once operational, likely by 2027, the facility will support around 250 permanent, high-skilled roles, ranging from chemical engineers to environmental specialists, and drive job creation in supporting services such as maintenance, safety and logistics.
Built on strong foundations
TVL is strategically located in one of the UK’s largest chemical parks, benefiting from extensive existing infrastructure and a skilled workforce. The nearby Wilton and Seal Sands industrial zones provide deep expertise in engineering, technical operations and logistics, which creates the perfect environment for growth.
TVL’s presence will further strengthen this ecosystem, offering career opportunities for local apprentices, STEM graduates and mid-career professionals seeking to upskill.
Why it matters for the North East
Jobs you can build a career on – Over 1,000 construction roles and around 250 permanent positions in advanced manufacturing, plus numerous indirect and supply chain jobs.
Boosting local GVA – TVL contributes to the region’s economic plan with real impact: increasing wages, enabling innovation and supporting homegrown businesses.
Up-skilling and retention – By partnering with local education providers and tapping into regional talent, TVL will help retain skills in Teesside and attract workers back to the region.
Economic resilience – Diversifying into lithium refining bolsters Teesside’s industrial base and reduces reliance on overseas supply chains for critical minerals.
By locating a cutting-edge lithium refinery in Teesside, TVL isn’t just meeting global demand. It’s creating a hub of innovation, clean growth and long-term opportunity for the North East of England.
This is more than a refinery
It’s the foundation of Europe’s **clean energy future**
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