Vancouver-based NORAM Electrolysis Systems Inc. (NESI) has secured a significant CAD $5.6 million in government funding to advance its clean lithium refining technology. The investment comes from both federal and provincial sources, aimed at scaling the company's innovative electrochemical platform. This financial support will bolster NESI's efforts to create a more resilient and environmentally friendly battery supply chain in Canada.
Strategic Government Investment
The funding package consists of $3 million from the Government of Canada's NRC IRAP and $2.6 million from British Columbia’s Innovative Clean Energy Fund. This capital is earmarked for developing a next-generation system designed to double commercial capacity and improve performance. The advancements are also expected to significantly reduce power consumption and lower overall industrial plant costs for lithium refining.
Government officials highlighted the strategic importance of this investment for Canada's economic future. The Honourable Mélanie Joly stated the government is proud to support innovators who are strengthening domestic battery supply chains. This support is crucial for positioning Canada as a leader in the growing net-zero economy and reducing reliance on foreign processing hubs.
Innovating Lithium Refining
NESI's technology leverages decades of electrochemical engineering expertise to replace traditional chemical-intensive refining methods. By using electricity to drive key reactions, the company's systems enable localized, lower-carbon production of essential battery materials. This electrified process supports greater supply chain independence and reduces the environmental impact of mineral processing.
The company's proprietary NORSCAND® platform is designed to produce high-purity lithium hydroxide from various feedstocks like lithium chloride and sulphate. A key feature of the technology is its ability to recover valuable acid and caustic from existing industrial waste streams. This circular approach helps minimize waste, lower reagent use, and create additional value across industrial chemical production.
Addressing Supply Chain Bottlenecks
The investment targets one of the most persistent bottlenecks in the rapidly expanding battery sector: the refining and processing of critical minerals. As demand for lithium surges, conventional processing methods are proving costly, waste-intensive, and difficult to localize. NESI’s platform offers a more flexible and efficient pathway for both virgin and recycled feedstocks.
Jeremy Moulson, President and CEO of NESI, emphasized the technology's importance for the future of cleaner industrial processing. He stated that electrified technology can lower emissions and recover value from waste, addressing a major supply chain constraint. This funding allows the company to advance its platform in British Columbia, strengthening Canada’s global role.
Company's Growth and Vision
Established as a standalone company in 2022, NESI's roots in industrial electrochemistry go back decades through NORAM's electrochemical division. The company has already achieved commercial progress with projects underway in Europe, South America, and Asia. This builds on a history of successful deployments, including a demonstration plant in Canada commissioned in 2017.
NESI is actively scaling its technologies through commercial projects and partnerships with companies like Vulcan Energy and Lifthium Energy. Beyond lithium refining, the company is focused on broader applications in battery recycling and industrial circularity. This includes turning industrial byproducts into valuable inputs like sulphuric acid and caustic soda.
This $5.6 million in funding marks a pivotal moment for NORAM Electrolysis Systems Inc. and Canada's clean technology ambitions. The investment accelerates the development of a crucial domestic technology while addressing global supply chain vulnerabilities. By supporting innovators like NESI, Canada is strategically positioning itself as a key player in the sustainable production of critical minerals.