The signing ceremony was attended by Kim Phil-seok, CTO and Executive Director of SK Innovation’s Institute of Environmental Science and Technology, and Gautham Krishnaiah, CTO of KBR. Both parties highlighted the potential of their combined technologies in meeting industry needs for efficient lithium recovery and purification.
SK Innovation’s BMR technology is distinguished by its ability to directly recover lithium hydroxide from used batteries, an approach different from conventional methods. Since 2017, the company has advanced this technology by merging original research with its expertise in refining and petrochemical processes. This development has helped overcome the limitations of existing lithium recovery methods. In 2021, SK Innovation established a demonstration facility at its Institute for Environmental Science and Technology, capable of recovering lithium hydroxide from used batteries equivalent to around 800 electric vehicles annually. The company has secured more than 100 patent applications worldwide to protect its innovation.
KBR’s PureLi® crystallization technology complements this process by removing impurities from lithium solutions and producing battery-grade lithium hydroxide through continuous cooling and recrystallization. The integration of both technologies aims to offer a cost-effective and high-purity solution to the growing battery recycling sector.
During the MOU signing, Kim Phil-seok said: “With SK Innovation’s cutting-edge lithium recovery technology, we can fully meet the EU Battery Regulation’s mandatory recovery rates, and the performance of batteries produced from the recovered lithium has already been verified. We are committed to leading the global market in battery recycling technology with our eco-friendliness and ability to respond to global regulations.”
KBR CTO Gautham Krishnaiah added: “SK Innovation’s lithium recovery technology is more cost-effective than traditional wet, dry, and carbon reduction technologies. We aim to secure business viability by creating synergy with KBR’s high-purity crystallization technology and licensing capabilities.”
In addition to the signing, Kim Phil-seok delivered a keynote speech at the conference. He addressed the growth of the global battery market, the importance of critical mineral resources, and SK Innovation’s advanced recycling solutions. He emphasized that as electric vehicle and battery production expand worldwide, resource acquisition and environmental regulations pose significant challenges. SK Innovation’s BMR technology, he noted, offers a practical solution that aligns with sustainability and regulatory requirements.
This collaboration marks a step forward for both SK Innovation and KBR in addressing rising demand for battery recycling, contributing to resource efficiency, and supporting the transition to cleaner energy systems.
