We are preparing a RAMP JTC 2026 Topic 2 proposal on the valorisation of low-grade secondary aqueous lithium streams.

We are particularly interested in SMEs and industrial partners providing real Li-containing secondary process streams, such as raffinate, filtrate, mother liquor, wash water, regeneration streams or other aqueous side streams.

We are also looking for industrial users able to define requirements and validate recovered Li₂CO₃/LiOH in established raw-material or battery-material value chains, as well as research partners for material-flow, TEA/LCA and SSbD assessment.

The aim is to build a compact consortium covering secondary Li stream generation, selective lithium recovery, product generation and industrial validation.

Fraunhofer IKTS is one of the largest applied research institutes for ceramics and material-based technologies in Europe and part of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. The institute develops materials, components, processes and system solutions for energy, environmental and resource technologies, with a strong focus on transfer to industrial application.

The Electrochemical Methods and Technologies group at Fraunhofer IKTS works on electrochemical process engineering for water and resource cycles. Core competences include electrochemical flow cells and reactors, selective ion capture and release processes, capacitive and faradaic deionisation, electrosorption-based separation concepts, electrode fabrication, process control, and lab-to-bench-scale validation.

For RAMP JTC 2026, Fraunhofer IKTS aims to contribute expertise in selective electrochemical lithium recovery from secondary aqueous process streams and in the development of integrated process concepts for converting recovered lithium into market-relevant products.