Watercycle Technologies, a sustainability-driven water treatment and resource recycling company, has reportedly acquired initial funding for an advanced technology that uses graphene-based systems for extracting lithium and some other minerals from water solutions and brines.

The pre-seed funding round was headed by Aer Ventures, an investor who majorly focuses on innovations across sustainability.

According to sources, Watercycle Technologies, headed by Sebastian Leaper (Ph.D. student of the Department of Materials at Manchester), has recently taken Tier 2 membership from the GEIC (Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre), with access to innovative 2D material facilities, lab space, and expertise in prototyping.

Watercycle Technologies has already witnessed that its solutions are capable of extracting lithium from UK-based brines and can improve it from lithium batteries during recycling.

The latest investment will empower the business to develop their prototype solution further and test them at a scale at recycling and extraction locations.

The technology also demonstrated the potential to enhance the lithium up to battery grade, empowering the battery-grade lithium processing to occur at production sites across the globe. These capabilities could enhance the environmental footmark of lithium production for use in EVs.

Dr. Sebastian Leaper, Chief Executive Officer, Watercycle Technologies, explains that nowadays, human lives depend increasingly on the ebb and flow of lithium ions that store and transport an ever-higher portion of the energy that is required in cars, devices, and power grid and enable the transition away from fossil fuels.

He added that access to low-carbon, low-cost lithium is essential for preventing climate change, and Watercycle Technologies is determined to make this possible. The firm is pleased to have support from Aer Ventures in this journey. It shares the ambition to help develop a circular, sustainable economy for future generations.

Source Credit - https://www.manchester.ac.uk/discover/news/geic-partner-watercycle-technologies-secures-funding-for-lithium-extraction-process/