As demand for battery-grade lithium skyrockets, we’re delivering a world-class, independent solution to one of the energy transition’s biggest bottlenecks: refining capacity.
Our mission is clear - to create a secure, low-carbon, and scalable supply of high-purity lithium for the European electric vehicle and energy storage markets.
Our facility will begin production in 2027 with a 25,000 tpa Phase 1 and scale up to 100,000 tpa — enough to supply more than 2 million electric vehicles per year.
Tees Valley Lithium Returns from Fastmarkets Las Vegas Energised by Global Momentum
The Fastmarkets Lithium Supply & Battery Raw Materials Conference 2025 in Las Vegas brought together over 1,000 delegates and more than 500 companies, confirming its status as one of the most influential events on the global battery materials calendar.
MINI Plant Oxford goes Electric: £600m investment for all-electric MINI production in the UK
Investment will transform MINI Plant Oxford to an all-electric production site from 2030. Production of two new electrified models – MINI Cooper 3-door and MINI Aceman - will start in the UK in 2026.
EV36Zero will transform Nissan Sunderland into a flagship EV hub, bringing together electric vehicles, renewable energy and battery production, and setting a blueprint for the future of the automotive industry.
Jaguar Land Rover's electric transformation, West Midlands
Our Halewood plant in Merseyside will become JLR’s first all‑electric production facility, whilst Solihull in the West Midlands will produce electric Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and Jaguar models.
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), the UK’s largest car manufacturer, is undergoing a sweeping transformation to become a fully electric, modern luxury carmaker. Anchored in the West Midlands, JLR’s bold vision represents one of the most ambitious industrial reinventions in British automotive history.
Under its “Reimagine” strategy, JLR is investing £15 billion over five years to electrify its product line, modernise manufacturing, and lead the premium electric vehicle (EV) segment globally.
Solihull & Wolverhampton: At the Heart of Electric Production
The West Midlands is central to JLR’s electric future. Key initiatives include:
Solihull Assembly Plant
Home to JLR’s next-generation electric Range Rover and Range Rover Sport
Future site of the all-electric Jaguar models, reimagined as ultra-premium electric vehicles
Upgraded with cutting-edge EV production lines, supported by AI-driven manufacturing and smart automation
Wolverhampton Engine Manufacturing Centre (EMC)
Transitioning from internal combustion to electric powertrain production
Will house the company’s new Electric Propulsion Manufacturing Centre, making inverters, batteries, and drive units for JLR’s next-gen EVs
Together, these facilities position the West Midlands as a national anchor for EV innovation and high-value green manufacturing.
What’s Coming: JLR’s Electric Line-Up
By 2025, Jaguar will become a pure-electric brand, debuting an all-new luxury GT as the first model in its EV renaissance. Meanwhile, Land Rover will electrify its iconic nameplates, including:
Range Rover Electric – arriving in 2025
Defender Electric – part of the mid-to-late decade line-up
Discovery and Velar – future EV variants in development
These vehicles will combine classic British design with zero-emission performance, reinforcing JLR’s heritage while aligning with global climate targets.
Leading the Luxury EV Market — Sustainably
JLR’s electric transformation is rooted in more than just product, it’s a shift in business philosophy. With sustainability at its core, the strategy includes:
Net-zero carbon across supply chain and operations by 2039
100% renewable energy at UK manufacturing sites
Circular economy principles, including battery recycling and low-impact material sourcing
By aligning luxury with environmental responsibility, JLR is defining what the future of premium mobility should look like.
A Legacy Reinvented
For over 75 years, Jaguar and Land Rover have been symbols of British craftsmanship and innovation. Today, they are charting a new course; one that embraces electrification, champions sustainability, and secures the future of UK automotive manufacturing.
As the UK accelerates toward its 2050 net zero target, the spotlight is turning toward the foundational materials driving the green transition—none more critical than lithium.
From powering electric vehicles to storing renewable energy, lithium-ion batteries are central to decarbonising transport and energy systems. Yet, while demand is soaring, the UK remains almost entirely dependent on international supply chains for refined lithium. In a time of growing geopolitical tension, export bans, and market volatility, this reliance presents a significant strategic vulnerability.
At Tees Valley Lithium, we believe domestic refining capacity is no longer optional—it is essential for the UK’s clean energy future. Addressing the Bottleneck in the Battery.
Supply Chain
Lithium itself is not scarce. It is mined in regions such as Australia, South America, and parts of Africa. However, the true pinch point lies in refining—transforming raw lithium into battery-grade lithium hydroxide or carbonate, the form required for high-performance electric vehicle batteries.
Today, more than 90 percent of the world’s lithium is refined in East Asia. Even when mined in stable, allied nations, the raw material often travels thousands of miles for processing before being shipped again to European manufacturers. This not only embeds unnecessary emissions into the supply chain but also leaves countries like the UK exposed to price fluctuations, trade disruptions, and delays.
To ensure long-term growth, businesses must focus on strategies that prioritize stability
The Urgent Need for UK Capacity
The UK has committed to ending the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2035, with a rapid transition to electric vehicles already underway. According to the Faraday Institution, domestic demand for battery-grade lithium could exceed 70,000 tonnes per year by 2030. At present, there is no large-scale refining capacity in the UK to meet this need.
Without the ability to process lithium on home soil, the UK risks missing out on the economic, strategic, and environmental benefits that come from localised, value-added production.
Tees Valley Lithium: A National Asset in the Making
Our facility at Wilton International in Teesside is being developed to address this gap. Once operational, it will be one of the first independent lithium hydroxide refineries in Europe.
Tees Valley Lithium will:
Provide a secure and reliable supply of battery-grade lithium to UK and European gigafactories
Reduce carbon emissions by shortening transport routes and using cleaner processing technologies
Create high-value employment and investment in the North East of England
Support the UK’s Critical Minerals Strategy and strengthen domestic supply chain resilience
Building a Net Zero Economy from the Ground Up
The green transition requires more than pledges. It requires industrial action and infrastructure that reflects the urgency and scale of the challenge. Domestic lithium refining offers the UK an opportunity to lead, not follow, in the race toward sustainable transport and energy systems.
At Tees Valley Lithium, we are proud to be building that foundation. By anchoring critical mineral processing in the UK, we are not just refining lithium—we are refining the future.
This is more than a refinery
It’s the foundation of Europe’s **clean energy future**
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