How is the chlor-alkali chemical industry?

【Answer 1】【01】 Historical development of the process: From laboratory discovery to industrial breakthrough The development of the chlor-alkali industry began with chemical discoveries at the end of the 18th century and took nearly a century of exploration before large-scale industrial production was achieved. 1. Early chemical soda ash production era (1791–1890) Leblanc process: In 1791, French physician Nicolas Leblanc invented a soda ash (sodium carbonate) production method using salt, sulfuric acid, limestone, and coal as raw materials—the first industrial-scale soda ash production process. Although this method enabled soda ash production, it generated large quantities of hydrogen chloride gas, causing environmental pollution and wasting chlorine resources. Solvay process: In 1861, Belgian engineer Ernest Solvay invented the ammonia-soda process, producing soda ash from salt, limestone, and ammonia. This method was more economical and environmentally friendly than the Leblanc process and rapidly became the dominant industrial soda ash production technology. However, it still failed to effectively utilize chlorine and produced substantial waste calcium chloride solution. 2. Emergence and early development of electrolytic methods (1800–1890) Following Alessandro Volta’s invention of the battery in 1800, scientists began investigating electrolysis phenomena. In 1807, British chemist Humphry Davy first isolated metallic sodium and chlorine gas by electrolyzing molten sodium hydroxide—demonstrating that electrolysis of brine could yield chlorine and alkali. In 1833, Michael Faraday formulated the laws of electrolysis, laying the theoretical foundation for the electrolytic industry. In 1851, British inventor Charles Watt obtained the first patent for producing chlorine and caustic soda via brine electrolysis. However, due to prohibitively high electricity costs and the lack of suitable electrolyzer designs, industrial implementation remained unfeasible. 【02】 Industrial development history: From inception to becoming a global foundational chemical industry 1. Early industrialization (1890–1940) In 1890, Germany’s Griesheim-Elektron company built the world’s first diaphragm-cell chlor-alkali plant, marking the birth of modern chlor-alkali industry. In 1892, American Hamilton Castner and Austrian Carl Kellner independently invented the mercury-cell electrolytic process. Mercury-cell technology enabled high-purity caustic soda production and was widely adopted throughout the first half of the 20th century. During this period, chlor-alkali industry growth was primarily driven by advances in power generation and organic chemical industries. During World War I, chlorine’s use in manufacturing chemical weapons and explosives significantly accelerated chlor-alkali industry expansion. 2. Post-war rapid growth phase (1945–1980) After World War II, the petrochemical industry flourished, dramatically increasing demand for chlorine and caustic soda. Large-scale production of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), neoprene rubber, and organochlorine pesticides positioned the chlor-alkali industry as a core segment of the petrochemical value chain. In the 1960s, ruthenium-titanium coated metal anodes replaced traditional graphite anodes, substantially reducing electrolyzer energy consumption and maintenance costs—spurring technological advancement across the industry. By the 1970s, global chlor-alkali capacity exceeded 30 million tons per year, with the United States, Japan, and Western Europe emerging as the world’s three major chlor-alkali production centers. 3. Technological transformation and industrial relocation phase (1980–present) In 1975, Japan’s Asahi Kasei Corporation commissioned the world’s first ion-exchange membrane chlor-alkali industrial plant, ushering in a new era for the chlor-alkali industry.

China Molybdenum Resources Research Report: Integrated layout taking shape; lithium-salt newcomer accelerating growth

【Answer 2】 Geological exploration advantages recognized by peers; collaborative development of African lithium and rare-earth resources. In May 2022, the Company’s subsidiary Hong Kong China Molybdenum Holdings and Shengxin Lithium Energy’s wholly-owned grand-subsidiary Shengyi International established a joint venture—Harare Lithium—in Zimbabwe. Both parties hold a 50% equity stake in the joint venture, which will continue exploring lithium projects in Zimbabwe. In September 2022, the Company partnered with Ningbo Yunsheng to establish Zhongyun Mining, in which the Company holds a 55% equity stake. Zhongyun Mining plans to acquire suitable rare-earth projects in Africa and conduct rare-earth mineral exploration, development, and mining rights investment. These two equity collaborations between China Molybdenum Resources and industry peers demonstrate that the Company’s geological exploration capabilities in Africa have gained broad recognition within the sector. Going forward, the Company is well-positioned to leverage its leading expertise in solid-mineral exploration and mining rights development to provide strong support for overseas resource acquisitions. Steady expansion of lithium-salt production capacity and significantly improved self-sufficiency in raw materials. From acquisition to capacity expansion, the Company’s lithium-salt business layout has gradually taken shape. In March 2018, the Company acquired Jiangxi Dongpeng New Materials, deepening its vertical integration into downstream lithium-salt, cesium-salt, and rubidium-salt deep-processing manufacturing. In April 2019, leveraging Dongpeng New Materials’ technical strengths in lithium-salt manufacturing, the Company launched construction of a 25,000-ton-per-year battery-grade lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide production line. This 25,000-ton lithium-salt production line commenced operations in August 2021 and reached full capacity in November 2021. By year-end 2021, the Company’s lithium fluoride production capacity had increased from 3,000 to 6,000 tons per year. In February 2022, Dongpeng New Materials’ subsidiary Chunpeng Lithium invested RMB 1 billion to construct a 35,000-ton-per-year high-purity lithium-salt project. In January 2023, Dongpeng New Materials signed a lithium hydroxide supply agreement with SK On—indicating that, as its lithium-salt production capacity continues expanding, the Company has become a key supplier to top-tier downstream customers in the industry. The Company’s lithium fluoride business enjoys significant technological and customer advantages. For many years, subsidiary Dongpeng New Materials has engaged in lithium fluoride production, R&D, and sales. Its core management team members all possess over ten years of experience in the lithium-salt industry—including Chairman Sun Meichun, former General Manager of Jiangxi Lithium Factory, who brings decades of hands-on experience in the lithium industry. The Company’s management places strong emphasis on R&D and continuous improvement of production processes, achieving a series of scientific research outcomes in battery-grade lithium fluoride—and participating as one of the drafters of China’s national industry standard for battery-grade lithium fluoride. Currently, Dongpeng New Materials ranks among China’s leading suppliers of battery-grade lithium fluoride, commanding a high market share. Its lithium fluoride products enter Tesla’s global supply chain through Morita Chemical, earning wide customer recognition for their superior quality. The Company’s lithium-salt production capacity is projected to exceed 60,000 tons per year, offering extensive growth potential. Dongpeng New Materials, the Company’s subsidiary, currently operates 31,000 tons per year of battery-grade lithium-salt capacity, comprising: (i) 10,000 tons per year of lithium hydroxide and 15,000 tons per year of lithium carbonate capacity from the 25,000-ton battery-grade lithium-salt project—a flexible production line enabling mutual conversion between the two product types; and (ii) 6,000 tons per year of battery-grade lithium fluoride capacity.

Century Lithium planning standalone chlor-alkali plant in western US

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Century Lithium Corp. plans to build a commercial-scale chlor-alkali plant in Nevada or Utah with an initial capacity of 300 short tons/day to support its Angel Island lithium project and regional supply chain.

chemweek

2026-09-23

Century Lithium planning standalone chlor-alkali plant in western US

Century Lithium planning standalone chlor-alkali plant in western US

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