DuPont has launched a direct lithium extraction portfolio designed to support lithium recovery from different brine resources as demand grows from electric vehicles and energy storage systems.
The new portfolio includes more than 20 products across lithium-selective sorbents, nanofiltration and reverse osmosis membranes, ultrafiltration modules and ion exchange resins. DuPont said the technologies can be combined into an end-to-end flowsheet or selected individually depending on brine chemistry and project requirements.
Direct lithium extraction, often referred to as DLE, uses separation technologies to recover lithium from brine. It is being explored as an alternative or complement to conventional routes such as hard rock mining and evaporation ponds.
Portfolio covers extraction, purification and concentration
DuPont’s portfolio spans the full lithium brine treatment process, from initial extraction through purification and final concentration.
The company said the range includes lithium-selective DuPont AmberSorb adsorbent technologies for both high- and low-temperature brine streams. It also includes FilmTec LiNE nanofiltration and reverse osmosis elements, including low salt rejection reverse osmosis technology designed to support high lithium concentration.
Additional technologies include DuPont IntegraTec and Inge ultrafiltration modules, FilmTec nanofiltration and reverse osmosis membranes and AmberLite ion exchange resins.
The aim is to help lithium producers improve yield, purity and concentration while adapting the process to specific brine compositions.
“DLE processes are highly sensitive to the lithium brine composition, temperature, and competing ions,” said Dr Martin Deetz, Senior R&D Laureate for DuPont Water Solutions.
He said that integrating lithium-selective sorbents, membranes and ion exchange technologies into one process design framework allows the full flowsheet to be optimised rather than treating each technology in isolation.
Supporting lithium projects from testing to implementation
DuPont said it will support customers through laboratory testing, process modelling and piloting. These services are intended to help lithium producers validate performance using real brine samples before moving toward implementation.
The company said the approach is designed to help customers move from early evaluation to more reliable lithium production more quickly.
“Our customers are trying to move from the lab to reliable lithium production as quickly as possible,” Deetz said. “By combining these technologies with advanced modelling, testing, and piloting support, we can help accelerate the design of tailored, end-to-end lithium extraction flowsheets for their specific brine resources and goals.”
DuPont also hosted an educational webinar on direct lithium extraction in June 2026, focused on how tailored DLE technologies can increase lithium yield and purity while addressing the specific characteristics of different brine resources.
DLE and the battery supply chain
Lithium is a key material for rechargeable batteries used in electric vehicles, grid storage and consumer electronics. As demand rises, lithium producers are exploring ways to recover lithium from a wider range of resources and reduce the time needed to bring projects into production.
DLE technologies are attracting attention because they can be designed around specific brine chemistries and may reduce reliance on long evaporation cycles in some settings. However, commercial performance depends on resource quality, water management, energy use, scaling risk, chemical consumption and downstream processing requirements.
DuPont’s launch reflects a wider shift toward integrated technology packages and technical support for lithium producers looking to scale brine-based projects.
More information is available from DuPont’s announcement and DuPont Water Solutions.
FAQs
What has DuPont launched?
DuPont has launched an end-to-end direct lithium extraction portfolio covering sorbents, membranes, ultrafiltration modules and ion exchange resins for lithium recovery from brines.
What is direct lithium extraction?
Direct lithium extraction uses separation technologies to recover lithium from brine resources, rather than relying solely on conventional approaches such as evaporation ponds or hard rock mining.
Why does brine composition matter in DLE?
Brines vary in temperature, lithium concentration, salinity and competing ions. These factors affect which extraction, purification and concentration technologies are most suitable.
What technologies are included in DuPont’s DLE portfolio?
The portfolio includes lithium-selective AmberSorb adsorbents, FilmTec nanofiltration and reverse osmosis membranes, IntegraTec and Inge ultrafiltration modules and AmberLite ion exchange resins.
Why is lithium demand increasing?
Lithium demand is rising because it is used in rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles, energy storage systems and consumer electronics.
