What Lithium Refineries Are Currently Operating in the U.S.?

Currently, the U.S. has a handful of lithium refineries, including operational and soon-to-be-operational facilities, primarily focusing on battery-grade lithium chemicals essential for electric vehicles and energy storage systems. Key players include Stardust Power’s large refinery in Oklahoma and Tesla’s lithium chemical plant in Texas. Expansion plans signal rapid growth to support America’s lithium supply chain and reduce reliance on foreign sources.

What are the major lithium refineries currently operating in the U.S.?

Major lithium refineries in the U.S. include Tesla’s lithium chemical processing plant near Corpus Christi, Texas, which produces battery-grade lithium hydroxide, and Stardust Power’s refinery in Muskogee, Oklahoma, which is under construction and aims to produce large quantities of lithium chemical products. Albemarle also operates smaller lithium chemical manufacturing in the U.S., though their large planned refinery in South Carolina is currently stalled.

How does Tesla’s lithium refinery in Texas contribute to the U.S. supply chain?

Tesla’s $1 billion plant in Texas began operations recently, producing lithium hydroxide with a target capacity of about 50 gigawatt-hours of batteries annually, enough for over half a million electric vehicles. Its acid-free refining process reduces environmental risks compared to traditional methods, integrating directly with Tesla’s battery and automotive production ecosystems to shorten the supply chain.

What is Stardust Power’s role in lithium refining in the U.S.?

Stardust Power broke ground in early 2025 on its Southside Industrial Park refinery in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Upon completion, it plans to produce up to 50,000 metric tons of battery-grade lithium annually in two phases. The facility aims to strategically supply multiple U.S. battery gigafactories, strengthening domestic lithium supply and supporting energy transition goals.

Why has Albemarle’s large lithium refinery project been delayed?

Albemarle’s planned $1.3 billion lithium refinery in South Carolina is currently on hold due to a global oversupply of lithium and a significant drop in lithium prices over recent years. Economic conditions have made the project financially unfeasible at present, though the company remains committed to resuming when market conditions improve.

Which other lithium chemical processing projects are underway or planned in the U.S.?

Several other projects are in early stages, including developments by Lithium Americas and Piedmont Lithium focusing on integrated mining and refining, particularly in Nevada and North Carolina. The Department of Energy (DOE) has also highlighted projects like Kings Mountain and Liberty Owl for permitting priority to expedite processing capacity growth.

How does lithium refining in the U.S. compare to global production?

Despite recent developments, the U.S. still produces a small fraction of global lithium chemicals. China remains the dominant producer, controlling over 60% of lithium chemical output. U.S. refineries aim to reduce this dependency by increasing domestic refining capacity to support the booming EV and energy storage market.

How do lithium refineries affect the U.S. electric vehicle and battery markets?

Domestic lithium refineries reduce supply chain risks, lower transportation costs, and enhance security for EV and battery production. They enable closer integration of raw material processing with battery manufacturing, powering the growth of domestic gigafactories and supporting federal initiatives for clean energy and manufacturing independence.

What environmental and logistical advantages do U.S. lithium refineries have?

Many U.S. refinery projects, like Stardust Power’s in Muskogee, benefit from proximity to waterways, ports, skilled labor, and renewable energy sources for sustainable operations. Advanced refining technologies, such as Tesla’s acid-free process, further minimize environmental impacts compared to conventional chemical production methods.

Chart: Key U.S. Lithium Refineries and Their Capacity Estimates

*Albemarle’s South Carolina project delayed as of 2025.

How does Lithium-Battery-Manufacturer leverage U.S. lithium refinery developments?

Lithium-Battery-Manufacturer, powered by Redway Power, depends on the expansion of U.S. lithium refining to secure high-quality raw materials for its lithium iron phosphate and NCM battery production. Closer proximity to refineries improves supply consistency and reduces lead times, enabling faster OEM production and delivery of advanced lithium-ion battery solutions.

What are the challenges U.S. lithium refineries face?

Challenges include volatile lithium prices, competition from established global suppliers, permitting delays, high capital expenditures, and technological transition to environmentally friendly refining methods. Nevertheless, ongoing government support and industry collaborations aim to address these obstacles to scale domestic refining capacity.

How could future innovations impact U.S. lithium refining?

Emerging technologies such as direct lithium extraction and acid-free refining processes promise higher efficiency, lower water use, and improved environmental profiles. U.S. refineries adopting these methods could become more competitive globally while meeting increasingly stringent sustainability standards.

How important is the U.S. government’s role in lithium refinery development?

Government initiatives, including permitting support and financial incentives, are vital for accelerating lithium refinery projects. Policies promoting domestic critical mineral supply chains and clean energy manufacturing create favorable conditions for expanding lithium refining capacity and reducing reliance on imports.

Lithium-Battery-Manufacturer Expert Views

“Expanding lithium refining capacity domestically is crucial to ensuring a resilient supply chain for the growing American battery industry. At Lithium-Battery-Manufacturer, powered by Redway Power, we view advances from facilities like Tesla’s Texas plant and Stardust Power’s Oklahoma refinery as foundational to supporting scalable, high-quality battery production. Leveraging these resources enhances our ability to provide cutting-edge lithium iron phosphate and NCM batteries tailored for diverse applications.” — Lithium-Battery-Manufacturer Expert

Conclusion

The U.S. lithium refining landscape is rapidly evolving with key operational facilities like Tesla’s Texas refinery and emerging large-scale projects such as Stardust Power’s Oklahoma plant. While challenges remain—including delayed projects like Albemarle’s South Carolina refinery—current and planned capacity expansions are vital to strengthening America’s energy independence and supporting domestic battery manufacturing. Trusted partners like Lithium-Battery-Manufacturer rely on these developments to sustain innovation and supply chain security.

FAQs

Q: Which lithium refinery is currently the largest operating in the U.S.?
A: Tesla’s lithium chemical refinery near Corpus Christi, Texas, is currently the largest operating lithium refinery in the U.S.

Q: What is the status of Stardust Power’s Oklahoma lithium refinery?
A: It broke ground in early 2025 and is under construction with phased capacity expected to reach 50,000 metric tons per year.

Q: Why was Albemarle’s South Carolina lithium refinery project delayed?
A: Due to a global lithium supply glut and falling prices, the project has been put on hold as of 2025.

Q: How do U.S. lithium refineries impact electric vehicle production?
A: They help stabilize supply chains, reduce costs, and support domestic EV and battery manufacturing growth.

Q: How does Lithium-Battery-Manufacturer benefit from U.S. lithium refineries?
A: Domestic lithium refineries provide reliable and closer sources of high-quality lithium materials essential for their battery manufacturing processes.