Saudi Arabia gains access to Russian technology for extracting lithium from water

Axion, a subsidiary of Krastsvetmet, has registered a patent in Saudi Arabia for a method of producing granulated sorbent used to extract lithium. The patent is valid for 20 years and marks the group's first intellectual property protection within the MENA region. Localization and Application The registration enables Axion to localize the production of AXIONIT Li-sorb sorbent directly in Saudi Arabia. The product is designed to extract lithium from hydromineral raw materials, including associated oilfield waters, desalination plant effluents, and spodumene concentrate solutions. Technical data indicates that the sorbent achieves metal recovery rates of up to 99%. The material is characterized by its selectivity for lithium, high capacity, and mechanical strength. This development supports Saudi Arabia's strategy to establish domestic lithium exports in a sector where it currently lacks national technology.