Jancik to build out modular Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) operations globally
CEO brings proven track record in building large-scale industrial projects
New leadership to leverage commercial momentum for U.S. and global expansion
International Battery Metals Ltd. announced the appointment of Iris Jancik as Chief Executive Officer, effective in mid-August. Jancik will focus on expanding commercial deployment of IBAT's patented modular direct lithium extraction (DLE) plants.
IBAT recently announced installation of its first commercial lithium production plant, co-located at US Magnesium's (US Mag) operations outside Salt Lake City, Utah. IBAT is currently commissioning the DLE plant with an initial design capacity of 5,000 metric tons/year and expects to begin lithium production in June. The plant processes brine produced from lithium-containing waste-magnesium salts, and the lithium chloride product will provide feed for high-purity lithium carbonate production by US Mag.
This is the first commercial DLE plant in North America and the first modular DLE plant in the world.
"IBAT's proprietary commercialized DLE technology is proven, ready to push-start a US lithium industry, and revolutionize global production, making this a prime time to join the organization," Jancik said. "Burgeoning battery demand requires a wholesale change in how lithium is produced, and IBAT delivers the right combination of efficiency, sustainability and scalability to reach new heights."
Prior to joining IBAT, Jancik served as CEO of IDE Americas, a subsidiary of IDE Technologies, a global desalination and water treatment solutions company, where she has been responsible for the development and operations of major infrastructure projects, including San Diego County Water Authority's Carlsbad Desalination Plant in Carlsbad, Calif., as well as other municipal and industrial water treatment plants. An engineer with extensive global contracting and management experience, she holds an M.B.A. in international business from Texas A&M University.
"Iris brings deep expertise in water infrastructure, which is core to our DLE water-recycling process, and the requisite global commercial chops to build on IBAT's momentum," said Dr. John Burba, founder, CTO and director of International Battery Metals. "I expect IBAT to take on new frontiers for growth with Iris at the helm and look forward to collaborating with her."
Jancik succeeds Garry Flowers, who joined IBAT for a two-year period, starting as president in July 2022 and then named CEO in December 2022. Flowers is credited with accelerating IBAT's technology to its first commercial phase.
"We are grateful for Garry's diligence in transforming IBAT from a technology company to a commercial enterprise poised for growth," said William Webster, chairman of the board. "Garry's leadership has helped lay the foundation for IBAT to deploy its first plant, which is a tremendous landmark as the world's first modular DLE plant."
Lithium production is rising to meet demand, reaching approximately 180,000 metric tons in 2023, of which approximately 22,000 metric tons came from an established DLE project in Argentina. By 2030, global lithium demand is expected to surpass 2.4 million metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent.
Currently, several established lithium companies as well as new entrants, are targeting DLE production in the coming years. Conventional, stick-built DLE plants can take five to six years to deploy, while IBAT, by contrast, can deploy its modular DLE plant infrastructure in 18 months' time.
IBAT's modular lithium extraction plant has been independently verified to extract more than 97% of available lithium from brine. Due to the plant's advanced water recovery rate of up to 98% of water recycled, IBAT's technology is highly protective of sensitive water resources. IBAT has demonstrated that the technology can extract lithium from subterranean brine sources and return the lithium-depleted brine to the same subsurface aquifer in a closed recycling loop.
