野狼社区

Watercycle Technologies Ltd (鈥榃atercycle鈥�), a spinout from The University of 野狼社区, is a UK-based climate tech company specialising in developing high-yield, low-cost mineral recovery systems. 

The company has been selected from 30 international contenders to showcase its Direct Lithium Extraction and Crystallisation (DLEC鈩�) technology by Chile鈥檚 state-owned mining body, the Empresa Nacional de Miner铆a (鈥楨NAMI鈥�). This selection follows a Request for Information issued by the state-owned company for innovative technologies that meet the economic, social, and environmental requirements for the sustainable development of Chile鈥檚 extensive lithium reserves.

This project will enable ENAMI to assess the technical and economic feasibility of Watercycle鈥檚 technology for lithium exploration in the northeastern Atacama Region. This represents a unique opportunity for Watercycle to showcase the capabilities of its technology alongside major competitors in the mining sector.

Watercycle Technologies is based at the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC) and focuses on sustainable and circular critical mineral recovery, including Direct Lithium Extraction and Crystallisation (DLEC鈩�), essential to creating a circular economy for the global energy transition.

Watercycle Co-founder and CEO, Dr Seb Leaper, said: 鈥淚t鈥檚 great to be representing UK technology on the world stage and we are very grateful to ENAMI for giving us the opportunity to do so. Demand for lithium is set to outstrip supply in the coming years as the global transport sector decarbonises. ENAMI is key to filling this supply gap and we couldn鈥檛 be more excited to be working with them in this endeavour.鈥�

Professor James Baker, CEO of Graphene@野狼社区, commented: "We are proud to see Watercycle Technologies, a University of 野狼社区 spinout, being selected by ENAMI for this great opportunity. It is a testament to the world-class innovation emerging from our partnership at the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC). This project demonstrates how advanced materials  technologies can play a pivotal role in addressing global challenges like sustainable lithium extraction."

With over 60% of the world鈥檚 lithium supply found in South America, Chile is the leading commercial provider in the region. Watercycle is among eight companies selected by ENAMI, which include industry giants Rio Tinto and Eramet.