LANXESS Targets Battery-Grade Purity

LANXESS has introduced its Lewatit MK 51 ion exchange resin for use in battery metal refining. The resin selectively removes boron from metal concentrates such as lithium ore, helping to produce raw materials of high purity required for battery manufacturing. This is particularly relevant for electric vehicle batteries where material purity impacts energy density and performance.

The company says ion exchange offers a more compact and sustainable alternative to solvent extraction, avoiding the need for flammable solvents and explosion protection measures. LANXESS also highlights the resin's ability to isolate boron without interacting with other components in the concentrate, supporting efficient separation during the refining process.

The ion exchange resins can be used to remove by-products such as zinc or cobalt from electrolytes and wastewater streams. The process is designed to support more sustainable metal recovery while meeting the purity standards required for advanced battery applications.

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