Newsletter No. 3
Albemarle finalizes the design of its future commercial DLE plant
After successfully completing the operational validation of its Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) Pilot Plant in La Negra, Albemarle has the necessary approvals to freeze the design of its future commercial plant, a step prior to the project's submission to the Environmental Impact Study (EIA). The announcement was made during the visit of the United States Ambassador to Chile, Brandon Judd.
The validation considered more than 3,000 hours of nominal operation, with a lithium recovery of over 94% and significant advances in water and energy efficiency, managing to reuse up to 85% of the water used during the process.
This milestone positions the Antofagasta Region as a hub for technological innovation and reaffirms Albemarle's commitment to the development of a more efficient and sustainable lithium industry, in permanent dialogue with the communities and authorities of the territory.
Albemarle is recognized for its operational excellence and responsible management
Albemarle Chile was awarded first place in Operational Excellence in the chemical sector at the 2025 Kaizen Awards and also obtained the Level 1 Responsible Care certification—the highest level of this international standard—for its La Negra plant in Antofagasta. These recognitions highlight its culture of continuous improvement, operational leadership, and high standards in safety, occupational health, and environmental management.
These milestones reflect the work carried out by the teams at the Salar de Atacama and La Negra Plant, driving an increasingly safe, efficient, and sustainable operation, and consolidating the Antofagasta Region as a benchmark in operational excellence and innovation in the lithium industry.
Larache implements a solar energy system for its productive greenhouse
The Larache Community, in collaboration with Albemarle, launched a solar energy system for its hydroponic greenhouse. This initiative provides nearly 100% of its energy and it reduces CO₂ emissions by approximately 80 tons per year, strengthening local development with a sustainable approach.
The project is part of the Collaboration Agreement that Albemarle has maintained with communities since 2016 and was implemented during 2025 with complementary contributions from Albemarle, Corfo, and other companies in the area, incorporating technological innovation and renewable energies to support long-term community initiatives.
Socaire promotes the recovery of the Pampa de Algarrobilla
We accompanied the Atacameño Community of Socaire to the second replanting day at the Pampa de Algarrobilla, which was carried out under the minga (collaborative community work) modality. This collaborative effort began with the collection of seeds from the community, which were later cultivated at the Albemarle Salar Nursery, where specialized techniques were applied to ensure the proper growth of the plants before they were returned to the territory.
The initiative seeks to strengthen the connection with the environment and to contribute to the recovery of a space of high environmental value in the Salar de Atacama, reflecting the company's commitment to ecosystem protection and joint work with communities.
Local talent in action: CEIM Apprentices tour Albemarle plants
With great joy, we welcomed the participants of the fifth iteration of the Apprentices Program to our La Negra and Salar plants, where they had their first on-site approach to our operations.
The new version of the program began in September 2025 and is aimed at 14 apprentices, marking a milestone for its higher female participation and the incorporation of young people from communities close to our operations. This is framed within Albemarle+Local, the initiative aimed at strengthening the regional productive ecosystem.
Peine Community visited the DLE Pilot Plant
As part of our territorial engagement actions, representatives of the Peine community visited the Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) Pilot Plant in La Negra, where they were able to see first-hand how the process works and its current state of development.
The tour included an open dialogue space that allowed for addressing concerns and delving into the challenges and opportunities of this technology, which is key to advancing toward a more sustainable lithium industry and is projected for future implementation at the Salar Plant.
This visit adds to the tours carried out by the communities of Camar and Socaire, reaffirming our commitment to transparency, early engagement, and the strengthening of ties with the territories of the Atacameño Peoples' Council.
