Century Lithium Announced Chlor-Alkali Plant Plans
The company seeks to secure regional reagent supplies for its lithium operations by producing chlorine, hydrochloric acid, and sodium hydroxide.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Manufacturing
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Century Lithium has proposed a new commercial-scale chlor-alkali plant designed to produce 300 short tons of chlorine daily. The facility is intended to support the company's Angel Island Lithium Project while creating an independent revenue stream through eight potential offtake partners.
Why it matters
By vertically integrating reagent production, the company aims to insulate its Angel Island Lithium Project from supply chain volatility. This move signals a broader trend of mining firms attempting to control essential inputs to maintain production stability.
The proposed facility will launch with a production capacity of 300 short tons of chlorine per day, with the potential to reach 600 short tons per day. Century Lithium has currently secured eight non-binding memoranda of understanding for offtake arrangements.
The players
Century Lithium
A mining company that focuses on the development of critical mineral resources, including the Angel Island Lithium Project.
The details
The plant will utilize sodium chloride, water, and electricity to manufacture chlorine, hydrochloric acid, and sodium hydroxide. Century Lithium evaluated potential sites in Nevada and Utah based on metrics including power availability, rail access, and permitting requirements. The company intends to pursue a diverse financing mix for the project, including vendor financing, institutional preferred equity, and U.S. government programs.
Timeline
September 22, 2026: Century Lithium announced plans for the new chlor-alkali facility.
Market Landscape
This development aligns with the trend of critical mineral miners seeking to internalize processing to meet supply chain requirements. The strategy follows the pattern set by firms leveraging the Inflation Reduction Act's domestic content provisions to secure federal funding support.
Operators should monitor whether the company secures definitive financing and site selection, as these remain the primary hurdles for project commencement. The project’s success could affect future reagent costs and availability for other regional mining operations.
The takeaway
Vertical integration of essential reagents may provide a strategic buffer for resource companies navigating volatile commodity markets. Keep an eye on upcoming front-end engineering design disclosures as a signal of the company's progress toward final investment decisions.
Further reading
For broader trends in industrial infrastructure, see our latest coverage on Manufacturing.
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