POSCO Holdings has taken a significant step toward advancing next-generation lithium production technologies by signing a cooperation agreement with Australian resource development company Anson Resources to establish a Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) demonstration plant in Utah, United States. The initiative marks the first overseas validation of POSCO Holdings’ proprietary DLE technology and represents an important milestone in the company’s global lithium growth strategy.
The agreement was signed at the POSCO Center in Seoul and outlines plans to design, construct and operate a demonstration facility in the Green River region of Utah. The project will serve as a testing platform to evaluate the commercial viability of POSCO’s independently developed lithium extraction technology under real-world operating conditions.
Direct Lithium Extraction is increasingly viewed as a transformative technology within the global lithium industry. Unlike conventional evaporation-based methods, DLE enables the recovery of lithium from low-concentration brines through a faster and more efficient process. The technology offers higher recovery rates, shorter production timelines and the potential to improve project economics while reducing environmental impact.
Under the partnership, POSCO Holdings will oversee the design, engineering and operational evaluation of the demonstration plant, while Anson Resources will provide access to local infrastructure, brine resources and permitting support. The collaboration combines POSCO’s technological expertise with Anson’s regional capabilities to accelerate development and testing activities.
POSCO Holdings has been investing in DLE research and development since 2016. During this period, the company has conducted extensive pilot-scale testing using brines sourced from multiple regions, including South America’s lithium-rich basins. The upcoming demonstration project represents the next stage in validating the technology’s performance on a commercial pathway.
Lee Ju-tae, President of POSCO Holdings, described the initiative as a strategic investment designed to strengthen the company’s position in the rapidly evolving lithium sector. “This project reflects our commitment to securing next-generation technologies that can enhance competitiveness and support long-term growth in the global lithium market,” he said. “By demonstrating the effectiveness of our proprietary technology in North America, we are creating new opportunities to expand our lithium business and establish a stable supply chain supported by advanced extraction capabilities.”
POSCO plans to complete construction and begin operations at the demonstration plant by 2027. Technology validation using actual brine resources is expected to continue through 2028, laying the foundation for future commercialization. The project also supports the company’s broader strategy of combining resource acquisition with technological innovation.
Through investments in lithium assets in Argentina, Australia and other key markets, alongside the development of advanced extraction technologies, POSCO aims to strengthen its position across the global battery materials value chain. As demand for lithium continues to rise due to accelerating electric vehicle adoption and energy storage deployment, the successful commercialization of DLE technology could play a critical role in securing future supplies of one of the world’s most important energy transition materials.
POSCO Holdings is a global industrial and materials company with operations spanning steel, battery materials, energy and advanced resources. The company is actively expanding its presence in the global lithium value chain through resource development, technology innovation and strategic partnershi
