VIDEO - Europe Must Invest to Meet Lithium Supply Chain Goals

Interview conducted by Priscila Barrera; article text by Charlotte McLeod.

Speaking to the Investing News Network at the recent Lithium Supply & Markets Conference in Chile, Vincent Ledoux-Pedailles, executive director of corporate strategy at Infinity Lithium (ASX:INF), said Europe has a lot of work ahead if it wants to meet its lithium supply chain goals.

According to the executive, the continent’s goal is to have a fully integrated lithium supply chain, from mining to the production of electric vehicles.

“We’re asking Europe to be producing a large amount of lithium, and at the moment you’ve got nothing in Europe,” he said. “So there’s a long investment needed within the continent to start producing lithium chemicals as soon as possible.”

His company is aiming to produce lithium hydroxide at its San Jose project in Spain. It recently boosted its stake in the asset to 75 percent and has the option to take 100 percent ownership at any time.

Ledoux-Pedailles said Infinity is targeting lithium hydroxide production because that is what the four main cathode makers in Europe are looking for.

“For all markets within Europe, all the cathode makers are requiring hydroxide because they are producing high nickel content batteries. I think in the very long term there’s obviously still a lot of room for carbonate, but hydroxide will eventually take over because of that change in technology,” he said.

Infinity plans to publish a prefeasibility study for San Jose in July, with a definitive feasibility study coming toward the end of this year or early next year. It is also working toward offtake and equity partnerships.

Watch the video above to learn more about Ledoux-Pedailles’ thoughts on Europe. You can also click here to watch our full Lithium Supply & Markets Conference playlist on YouTube.

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Securities Disclosure: I, Charlotte McLeod, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

Editorial Disclosure: The Investing News Network does not guarantee the accuracy or thoroughness of the information reported in the interviews it conducts. The opinions expressed in these interviews do not reflect the opinions of the Investing News Network and do not constitute investment advice. All readers are encouraged to perform their own due diligence.