Saad Dara and Francisco Velasco of Mangrove Lithium | Streamlining Lithium Production for EV Ep.89

Production of high-quality lithium presents a complex problem.  Sourcing lithium is difficult and making high-purity lithium is costly.  Lithium is sourced from recycling of lithium-ion batteries or extracting it from a brine solution previously introduced into hard rock.  The extracted material is called lithium chloride or lithium sulfate, and processing it into the final product - lithium hydroxide or lithium carbonate for battery production - is where Mangrove Lithium comes in. Saad Dara is an engineer, electrochemist and CEO and co-founder of Mangrove Lithium, based in Vancouver.  His focus on lithium began three years ago with a lithium-processing technology that eases processing of the highest-purity lithium for market.  Francisco Velasco joined as the Commercial Vice President of Mangrove one year ago, knowing there is a shortage of refining processes in the lithium supply chain.  Today on Clean Power Hour, Saad and Francisco join Tim to discuss Mangrove’s position in the lithium processing supply chain, along with lithium’s supremely important role in the electric vehicle (EV) industry’s ability to supply the current demand which is only growing.Key TakeawaysHow Mangrove Lithium will improve supply chain disruptions for EV manufacturers Saad’s take on why we need to “onshore” all stops along the lithium supply chain back to the USHow lithium technology is a key “limiting factor” for the EV’s progressHow EV car development creates ups and downs in the lithium market, resembling a “boom and bust” pattern How availability of lithium does not meet demand, so buyers look globally for sourcesWhy the strategic partner of BMW i Ventures is a perfect match for MangroveThe sources of lithium, including brine applications, hard rock or spodumene mining, and DLE (direct lithium extraction)Details of Mangrove Lithium’s first three plants, including locations, power sources and moreWhy Nevada is included in the list of ideal locales for MangroveDetails on how Mangrove sees itself as a service to upstream or downstream companies in the lithium supply chainWhy tailoring the service is Mangrove’s main bread and butterHow the term “feed-stock flexible” applies to Mangrove’s product (a service)Connect with SaadMangrove Lithium LinkedInEmail: [email protected] with FranciscoLinkedIn Connect with Tim  Clean Power Hour  Clean Power Hour on YouTubeTim on TwitterTim on LinkedIn Email [email protected] Review Clean Power Hour on Apple Podcasts ResourcesBreakthrough Energy VenturesBMW i Ventures Support the showConnect with Tim  Clean Power Hour  Clean Power Hour on YouTubeTim on TwitterTim on LinkedIn Email [email protected] Review Clean Power Hour on Apple PodcastsThe Clean Power Hour is produced by the Clean Power Consulting Group and created by Tim Montague. Contact us by email:  [email protected] sponsors who share our mission to speed the energy transition are invited to check out https://www.cleanpowerhour.com/support/The Clean Power Hour is brought to you by CPS America, maker of North America’s number one 3-phase string inverter, with over 6GW shipped in the US. With a focus on commercial and utility-scale solar and energy storage, the company partners with customers to provide unparalleled performance and service. The CPS America product lineup includes 3-phase string inverters from 25kW to 275kW, exceptional data communication and controls, and energy storage solutions designed for seamless integration with CPS America systems.  Learn more at www.chintpowersystems.com