(The Center Square) – The first battery-grade lithium hydroxide refining facility in North America is now operational in Texas.
In May 2023, Gov. Greg Abbott, Tesla founder Elon Musk and other officials broke ground at what would become Tesla North America’s new lithium refinery in Robstown. By January 2026, it was fully operational.
The facility is the first of its kind to ever be built in North America, The Center Square reported. The facility is part of Abbott’s goal for Texas to lead in reducing reliance on China for critical minerals and technology. Under Abbott, Texas is leading in semiconductor manufacturing and development, state-led Artificial Intelligence development and nuclear energy expansion to counter Chinese dominance and threats, The Center Square reported.
Australia, Chile and China account for 90% of lithium production; China overwhelmingly refines the majority of lithium, controlling global supply, according to International Energy Agency and other reports. China also sources materials used for lithium-ion batteries mined through forced child labor in the Congo and Nigeria, raising human rights concerns.
Traditional lithium mining has created an environmental catastrophe in other countries. “Sulfuric acid and sodium hydroxide used in lithium extraction penetrate the soil and water, poisoning ecosystems and endangering species. Deforestation, habitat destruction and water pollution further exacerbate the ecological toll. … The carbon dioxide and other greenhouse emissions that come with the process of lithium mining, extraction and overall production are worse for the climate than the production of fossil fuel-powered vehicles,” Mining Technology notes, citing multiple reports.
Tesla’s new lithium refinery is located in the Coastal Bend of Texas, a wildlife-rich region and primary destination of hunters, fishers, birders, ecologists, nature enthusiasts, tourists and vacationers who drive a multibillion-dollar ecotourism industry. The Nueces Delta Preserve includes more than 2,000 acres of wetlands and coastal prairies. There are more than 10 state parks and 150 miles of coastline and beaches in the Coastal Bend region.
Tesla’s refinery is “deploying a new technology platform that is inherently much more environmentally friendly and cleaner. It’s a simpler process. It’s a less expensive process,” refinery manager Jason Bevan, said in a video depicting the process as migratory birds fly overhead. The process involves sustainably sourcing spodumene, a pyroxene mineral consisting of lithium aluminium inosilicate, needed to make batteries. The hard rock is run through a series of conveyance systems, goes through a kiln and cooler, an alkaline leach and additional purification steps to reach a crystallization form. It’s then used to produce battery grade lithium hydroxide.
“Our process is more sustainable than traditional methods and eliminates hazardous byproducts,” Tesla says. Instead of leaching hazardous biproducts into the environment, Tesla’s facility is producing a biproduct of analcime, reusable for concrete production.
It’s being produced at a time when “There is an increasing need for supplementary cementitious materials to ensure the sustainability of concrete production,” the Case Studies in Construction Materials Journal states. “Analcime residues from lithium production can be recycled in eco-friendly concrete.”
Facility production expanded at lightning speed. “We’ve achieved the fastest time to market for this first of its kind technology.” Bevins said the new facility will enable “regionalizing supply chains for battery minerals and materials,” provide long-term jobs, cut emissions and “usher in energy independence for North America.”
Tesla began expanding operations in Texas in 2021 during the COVID-lockdown era after Musk ran into roadblocks with California lawmakers and regulators, The Center Square reported.
At an event in Houston, Abbott touted Tesla’s expansion in Texas as a sign of Texas’ economic growth and business friendly environment. He described how Musk discussed his plans to build a mile long gigafactory and have vehicles roll out in 18 months. A deal was made and Tesla broke ground in June 2020. “Eighteen months later, in December 2021, vehicles began rolling off the floor at his new mile long Tesla factory in Austin,” Abbott said. “Tesla was able to build an entire giga factory in 18 months but in California, Musk still would not have his first permit.”
Musk next moved most of his operations out of California to Texas, including relocating the headquarters of Tesla, X, SpaceX, the Boring Company and Neuralink.
“Musk and others understand Texas’ pro-business environment,” Abbott said. “Texas truly is attracting the best and brightest from across the entire world to come to our state.”
During the COVID lockdown era, from February 2020 to December 2022, Texas was responsible for 35% of the total net increase in job creation in the United States, the Economist reported. Texas representing 10% of the U.S. population but 35% of new job creation was unprecedented, Abbott said.
Since then, over the next three years, Texas has continued to lead the U.S. in job creation every month, The Center Square has reported. Now, Texas has the first lithium refinery in North America.
