About Lithium

 

Albemarle’s lithium business focuses on alkaline earth metals and associated downstream chemistry, most notably lithium. The business’ product portfolio is based on continuous research and development of leading edge technologies. High performing products combined with a dedication to providing the best support to our customers have allowed it to establish excellent market positions.

Lithium has activities in Europe, North and South America, Australia and Asia. A largely decentralized organization ensures fast response and flexibly to the customers’ needs.

Lithium compounds are used to manufacture a lot of products we all use every day. Lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide are needed for lithium-ion-batteries we all have in our mobile devices like smartphones, tablet computers and notebooks or in electric vehicles. Butyllithium is needed for the production of synthetic rubber for tires. Lithium organics are versatile tools for the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals or for flavors and fragrances. The glass industry requires lithium carbonate or spodumene to improve the properties of glass. A cook plate made of glass-ceramics would not exist without lithium carbonate as this ingredient reduces its thermal expansion. Lithium bromide is used in industrial absorption refrigeration systems that are installed in large buildings and industrial plants for air conditioning or process cooling.