Can Texas Nanotech Crack the Lithium Code?

Litus reports high efficiency nanotech lithium extraction, energizing North America’s push for secure supply and faster tech investment

4 Nov 2025

A Texas-based pilot by US developer Litus has reported unusually strong results from a nanotechnology method used to extract lithium from underground brine, adding momentum to North America’s efforts to expand domestic battery supply chains.

Litus said its system removed more than 98 per cent of lithium while operating continuously for several thousand hours. The figures come from company data and have not been independently verified. Durability has been a persistent weakness for emerging extraction methods, making the system’s stable performance a point of interest for industry observers.

“Long term reliability has been one of the biggest gaps in this space,” said Dr Ghada Nafie, chief executive and co-founder of Litus. “These results indicate readiness to scale, and that creates real commercial potential.”

The announcement has circulated quickly among battery producers and policymakers as they look to reduce reliance on imported materials. Canada’s Prairie Lithium is advancing a large project intended to supply domestic volumes, while several US states are considering incentives to speed adoption of newer extraction systems. Both countries are seeking to build a resilient regional supply chain as global demand for lithium continues to rise.

Analysts say the timing is notable. Electric vehicle sales are expanding and grid storage installations are increasing, putting further pressure on supply. “Every credible outlook shows a tight market for years,” said one energy analyst. “Any technology that adds reliable local supply will get serious attention.”

Challenges remain significant. Moving from a controlled pilot to commercial-scale production requires performance across varied brine sources and larger facilities. Market uncertainty also persists as lithium prices fluctuate and investors wait for clearer policy signals.

Even so, the Texas pilot has encouraged developers hoping to accelerate domestic production. If the system can be scaled and adapted to different geological settings, it could support a broader wave of North American projects and help reduce dependence on foreign supply.