Lohum Corporation has inaugurated India’s first battery-grade lithium refinery, marking a significant milestone in the country’s push for self-reliance in critical minerals. The facility has an annual production capacity of 1,000 metric tonnes, strengthening India’s position in the global lithium supply chain.
This development comes at a time when lithium supplies face mounting pressure, largely due to China’s dominance in the market. In January 2025, China imposed export restrictions on lithium refining technology and equipment for the latest LFP battery technology, an area where it controls over 95% of global capacity.
With this new refinery, Lohum now processes more than 90% of India’s lithium supply. The company has also achieved cost efficiency comparable to Chinese refineries, with capital and operational expenses reportedly just one-third to one-fifth of those in the United States or European Union.
Beyond refining, Lohum is expanding into Cathode Active Materials (CAM) production, a crucial component in lithium-ion batteries. This strategic move positions the company to become India’s largest direct lithium consumer by 2030.
“Lohum’s leadership in lithium refining and our expansion into value-added products like Cathode Active Materials reinforce our commitment to making India self-reliant in critical minerals,” said Rajat Verma, Founder & CEO of Lohum Corporation. “We are producing globally competitive critical mineral products in a sustainable way while reducing India’s dependence on Chinese lithium imports.”
The company boasts recovery rates exceeding 90%, significantly higher than the industry average of 60-70%. Currently, its lithium purity level stands at 99.8%, with plans to reach 99.99% in the near future, thanks to ongoing research and development efforts.
Lohum’s refining process is designed to handle diverse input materials, including used batteries of all chemistries, industrial waste, and mining tailings. This flexibility contributes to building a resilient and diversified domestic supply chain for critical minerals in India.
The refinery aligns with India’s National Critical Minerals Mission, a ₹34,000 crore initiative announced in the 2025 budget to promote exploration, processing, and research in essential minerals. By strengthening the local supply chain, Lohum is enhancing India’s mineral security and reducing dependence on imports.
India is expected to require approximately 300,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate in the coming years. To meet this demand, Lohum has established a global network for sourcing spent lithium-ion batteries and has secured agreements with mining sources.
Currently, Lohum operates eight facilities, including India’s largest lithium and cobalt refineries in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, and another in Gujarat. The company is also developing two additional sites in South India while expanding internationally. It has joint ventures in the United States and Sharjah (UAE), with plans for further expansion into the European Union.
By pioneering lithium refining and material recovery, Lohum is positioning India as a key player in the global clean energy transition while ensuring a secure and sustainable lithium supply for the nation’s growing energy needs.
