--- title: "Lithium Refinery Engineering: Mangrove Lithium" date: 2026-10-14T09:44:00-04:00 author: Justas Gasiunas canonical_url: "https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-us/projects/commercial-lithium-refining-plant" section: Projects --- Mangrove Lithium is tackling one of the most critical links in the battery value chain: refining raw lithium into battery-grade lithium hydroxide (LiOH), an essential material for electric vehicles and large-scale energy storage. With engineering support from BBA Consultants, the company has designed, built and commissioned its first commercial electrochemical lithium refining facility. Using its electrochemical process and flexible plant design, Mangrove’s technology can produce lithium hydroxide close to feedstock sources or battery manufacturing hubs, reducing logistics costs and carbon emissions. Although Canada has significant lithium resources, most lithium refining still occurs outside the country. By demonstrating that lithium can be refined locally into battery-grade lithium hydroxide, the project helps build a more integrated value chain, from mining to the materials needed for electric vehicles and energy storage. This first commercial installation validates the technology under real-world operating conditions, provides reliable performance data and paves the way for larger-scale deployment. Awards and Recognition- 2026 ACEC-BC Award of Merit, Energy and Industry category - Date Jan 01, 2025 - Region Western Canada - Client Mangrove Lithium (Delta, B.C.) 1. ## Our experts’ solutions Two major constraints shaped the project from the very beginning. First, process parameters were constantly changing, requiring engineering work to advance in parallel with technological development. Second, the project had to meet a non-negotiable year-end deadline. BBA was selected to provide process engineering, detailed design, EPCM support, commissioning and risk and safety engineering services for this demonstration facility. Key tasks included: • Scaling up an emerging electrochemical process to meet the requirements of an industrial facility • Integrating specialized equipment supplied by third-party vendors • Selecting materials suited to the technology’s unique requirements • Maintaining strict schedule governance through structured decision-making milestones • Providing consistent onsite support and real-time coordination with Mangrove staff, contractors and equipment suppliers The project’s greatest challenge was scaling up an electrochemical process that had never been deployed at this size, with no established industry standards or precedents to rely on. The team adopted a disciplined risk management approach built on conservative, safety-focused assumptions that guided critical decisions, while maintaining flexibility in areas that could be optimized during operations. The demanding chemical environment added another layer of complexity. Lithium-based solutions presented material compatibility challenges that weren’t well documented in standard industry references. The teams developed innovative material selection strategies, including optimizing operating temperatures to allow the use of plastic piping and tanks instead of fibre-reinforced polymer systems, lowering capital costs while maintaining safety margins. The hazard and operational (HAZOP) risk analysis was also led as an iterative process rather than a one-time exercise to evolve with the growing understanding of the process. 1. - 1st First commercial electrochemical lithium refining facility in North America - 12 months Project delivered within a fixed schedule - [ 16 Oct 2026 BBA recognized at the CCE Awards ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-us/news/bba-recognized-at-the-cce-awards "BBA recognized at the CCE Awards") - [ 14 Oct 2026 Power and Renewables Understanding regions and communities: human environment expertise supporting projects - ![Burelle Marie Andree](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/218105/Burelle-Marie-Andree.webp) Marie-Andrée Burelle Senior Environmental Professional ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-us/insights/understanding-regions-and-communities-human-environment-expertise-supporting-projects "Understanding regions and communities: human environment expertise supporting projects") - [ 01 Oct 2026 Power and Renewables Reliable power starts with the right grid interconnection strategy - ![Jeremie Cote](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/206702/Jeremie-Cote.webp) - ![Alizera Khosroshahi](https://www.assets.bbaconsultants.com/bba-production-assets/production/images/avatars/_size_avatar/216932/Alizera-Khosroshahi.webp) ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-us/insights/reliable-power-starts-with-the-right-grid-interconnection-strategy "Reliable power starts with the right grid interconnection strategy") - [ 25 Sep 2026 Todd Farrell appointed Director, Chemicals ](https://www.bbaconsultants.com/en-us/news/todd-farrell-appointed-director-chemicals "Todd Farrell appointed Director, Chemicals") 1. ## Our experts’ solutions Two major constraints shaped the project from the very beginning. First, process parameters were constantly changing, requiring engineering work to advance in parallel with technological development. Second, the project had to meet a non-negotiable year-end deadline. BBA was selected to provide process engineering, detailed design, EPCM support, commissioning and risk and safety engineering services for this demonstration facility. Key tasks included: • Scaling up an emerging electrochemical process to meet the requirements of an industrial facility • Integrating specialized equipment supplied by third-party vendors • Selecting materials suited to the technology’s unique requirements • Maintaining strict schedule governance through structured decision-making milestones • Providing consistent onsite support and real-time coordination with Mangrove staff, contractors and equipment suppliers The project’s greatest challenge was scaling up an electrochemical process that had never been deployed at this size, with no established industry standards or precedents to rely on. The team adopted a disciplined risk management approach built on conservative, safety-focused assumptions that guided critical decisions, while maintaining flexibility in areas that could be optimized during operations. The demanding chemical environment added another layer of complexity. Lithium-based solutions presented material compatibility challenges that weren’t well documented in standard industry references. The teams developed innovative material selection strategies, including optimizing operating temperatures to allow the use of plastic piping and tanks instead of fibre-reinforced polymer systems, lowering capital costs while maintaining safety margins. The hazard and operational (HAZOP) risk analysis was also led as an iterative process rather than a one-time exercise to evolve with the growing understanding of the process.