lithium

The EU and US are finalizing a non-binding agreement to coordinate critical minerals supply chains and challenge China's processing dominance, while the DOE launches a $69 million funding program for domestic extraction and refining.

GEL's United Downs facility drills 5km into granite to generate 3MW of constant power and extract battery-grade lithium — a UK first after two decades of development.

CATL and BYD are mass-producing sodium-ion batteries for EVs and grid storage in 2026, driven by soaring lithium prices and abundant raw materials, while the West struggles to keep pace.