Direct Lithium Extraction Technology Services Market Trends: the market was valued at US$287 million in 2024

The global Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) Technology Services market has entered a decisive growth phase. According to the latest report Direct Lithium Extraction Technology Services- Global Market Share and Ranking, Overall Sales and Demand Forecast 2025-2031, the market was valued at US$287 million in 2024 and is forecast to reach US$4,704 million by 2031, reflecting a 49.9% CAGR between 2025 and 2031.

Using the current spot price for battery-grade lithium carbonate in China (DDP, ex-VAT) of ~US$9,082/ton, and DLE OPEX ranges-sector overviews at US$4,500-7,500/t and recent DFS/announcements from leading vendors at US$4,000-4,900/t-the gross profit per ton implied for DLE-derived LCE is ~US$4,100-5,100/t (midpoint ≈ US$4,600/t), yielding a gross profit margin of ~45%-56% (midpoint ≈ 50%), excluding logistics, royalties and depreciation.

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Leading Companies

Sunresin Inc.
Lilac Solutions
Jiuwu Hi-tech
TUS-MEMBRANE
Summit Nanotech
EnergySource Minerals LLC
E3 LITHIUM
SLB
Energy Exploration Technologies
Standard Lithium
International Battery Metals Inc
Xinjiang Tailixin Mining Co., Ltd.

Application List

Salt Lake Brine Extraction
Deep Brine Extraction

Classification List

Sorbent Extraction
Ion Exchange
Solvent Extraction

Latest Data

· Market size: US$287 million (2024); projected US$4,704 million by 2031

· CAGR: 49.9% (2025-2031)

· Regional shares: Asia-Pacific 42%, North America 38%, South America 11%

· Technology split: Sorbent Extraction 65% share in 2024

· Application split: Salt Lake Brine Extraction 97% share in 2024

· Market concentration: Top five players control more than 94% share

Company Product Highlights (2024-2025)

Lilac Solutions - Gen-4 Ion-Exchange (IX) System

· Lithium recovery ~90%

· Impurity rejection 99.9%

· CAPEX reduced by ~US$98 million in new project designs

· OPEX cut by ~US$508 per ton LCE

· Operating power requirements reduced to 57 MW in updated plant studies

Standard Lithium - LiSTRTM DLE Platform

· Pilot recovery rates exceed 99%

· Processing brines with lithium grades of ~427 mg/L

· Commercial scale: 30,000 tons per annum battery-grade lithium hydroxide planned

· Advancing toward final investment decision in 2025

EnergySource Minerals / ILiAD Technologies - ILiAD+ Adsorption

· Recovery consistently above 90% in geothermal brines

· New ILiAD+ delivers 85% stronger impurity rejection and sixfold improvement in lithium-to-sodium ratio

· Project ATLiS in California expected to produce up to 20,000 tons per annum lithium hydroxide

· Secured U.S. DOE Loan Programs Office support in early 2025

Summit Nanotech - denaLiTM Sorbent System

· Lithium recovery greater than 98%

· Total dissolved solids rejection over 95%

· Water consumption reduced to ~7 m3 per ton LCE with over 94% water recovery

· New demonstration plant launched in Santiago, Chile, in 2025

E3 Lithium - Proprietary Ion Exchange + RO Concentration

· Integrated demonstration facility scheduled for Q3 2025 in Alberta, Canada

· Initial Phase-1 capacity: 12,000 tons per annum lithium carbonate, expandable to 36,000 tons

· Pre-feasibility data show eluate concentration reaching ~6,000 mg/L lithium

Downstream Customers

Lake Resources
Rio Tinto
Eramet
Vulcan Energy Resources
Controlled Thermal Resources
ExxonMobil
Lanxess
TETRA Technologies
Compass Minerals
Lithium Argentina
Galan Lithium
Power Minerals
SQM
Albemarle
POSCO Holdings

Market Trend

Pilot-to-Demo Acceleration

Between 2024 and 2025, projects across North and South America demonstrated recovery rates consistently above 90%. SLB achieved 96% recovery at its Nevada demonstration, while Standard Lithium surpassed 99% recovery in the Smackover Formation. E3 Lithium advanced its integrated demonstration facility in Canada, while Eramet began ramping its 24,000 tpa DLE plant in Argentina. The industry is transitioning from pilots to commercial scale.

Policy and Regulatory Tailwinds

Government policy is favoring reinjection-based technologies. Chile has placed DLE at the center of its national lithium strategy, prioritizing projects that minimize water loss. In the U.S., the Department of Energy committed financial support to EnergySource Minerals' ATLiS project in California, reinforcing domestic production ambitions and creating momentum for geothermal brine-based DLE.

ESG and Water Efficiency

DLE technology is increasingly evaluated on environmental and social performance. Summit Nanotech reports water use as low as 7 m3 per ton LCE with over 94% recovery. Standard Lithium and SLB have highlighted the rapid brine-to-product cycles, reducing environmental footprint by hundreds of times compared to evaporation ponds. However, experts warn that freshwater demand remains a risk, making reinjection monitoring essential.

Costs and Product Mix Evolution

Cost competitiveness is improving. Lilac Solutions' Gen-4 IX system reduces both capital and operating costs, bringing estimated OPEX down to US$4,000-4,900 per ton LCE. Meanwhile, more companies are prioritizing lithium carbonate production as demand for lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries rises, aligning products with shifting battery chemistries.

Geographic Growth Clusters

The Smackover Formation in the U.S. is emerging as a leading DLE hub, supported by favorable brine grades and infrastructure. California's Salton Sea, backed by federal loans and technology improvements, represents another major cluster. In Latin America, Argentina continues to attract attention as companies like Eramet and Rio Tinto push DLE projects toward large-scale production.

Technology Differentiation

Sorbent extraction remains the dominant technology, holding 65% market share in 2024. Ion exchange is rapidly gaining ground due to higher recoveries and improved material lifespans, led by Lilac Solutions. Solvent extraction remains niche but is under development for specific brine chemistries. Across the board, impurity rejection and hybrid process designs are seen as critical differentiators in 2025.

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