EnergyX launches U.S. lithium plant using DLE technology, boosting domestic supply, reducing reliance on China, and strengthening battery supply chains.
Energy Exploration Technologies, Inc. (EnergyX), a company at the forefront of lithium extraction and refining innovation, has announced a significant achievement with the successful commissioning of its Project Lonestar™ facility in the United States. Founded by CEO Teague Egan, EnergyX has taken a major step toward strengthening domestic lithium production capacity with this first-of-its-kind plant, marking a crucial transition from pilot-scale testing to industrial-scale validation.
The Project Lonestar™ demonstration facility, located in Texas, is now fully operational and designed to produce approximately 250 metric tons per year of battery-grade lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE). Built using industrial-grade systems, the plant employs EnergyX’s proprietary GET-Lit™ direct lithium extraction (DLE) and refining technology. Notably, it is the first operational DLE facility in Texas to process locally sourced Smackover brine, demonstrating the feasibility of extracting lithium efficiently from regional resources. This milestone serves as a strong validation of the company’s extraction efficiency, recovery performance, and overall cost competitiveness.
According to CEO Teague Egan, the launch of this integrated DLE demonstration plant represents a foundational breakthrough not only for EnergyX but also for the broader U.S. lithium industry. He emphasized that operating the facility under real-world industrial conditions confirms the scalability and reliability of their technology. Furthermore, the company positions itself as one of the lowest-cost lithium producers in the country, which could significantly benefit customers requiring large-scale lithium supplies for electric vehicles (EVs) and energy storage systems (ESS). EnergyX also intends to license its advanced DLE technology to lithium resource owners seeking efficient and cost-effective extraction solutions.
Beyond production, the Lonestar™ facility plays a strategic role in refining process optimization and economic validation. It enables the company to fine-tune system design while producing lithium samples ranging from 5 to 25 tons for customer qualification. This stage is critical before scaling up to full commercial operations across EnergyX’s expanding U.S. lithium portfolio. The project aligns closely with national priorities focused on securing critical minerals and building resilient supply chains.
The development comes at a time when lithium refining remains a major bottleneck for the United States. Currently, China dominates approximately 70–75% of the global lithium chemical conversion capacity, often influencing market dynamics in ways that make it difficult for non-Chinese players to compete profitably. This imbalance has left the U.S. heavily reliant on foreign processing capabilities, even when domestic or allied lithium resources are available.
Recognizing the importance of this development, Senator Ted Cruz acknowledged EnergyX’s accomplishment, highlighting its contribution to strengthening U.S. energy security and defense readiness. Lithium produced at the Lonestar™ facility is expected to support critical applications, including batteries for advanced military technologies.
Overall, Project Lonestar™ stands out as both a strategic and economic milestone. By offering a scalable and cost-efficient domestic refining solution, EnergyX addresses a key gap in the lithium supply chain. The project not only unlocks underutilized resources but also accelerates downstream integration with battery manufacturers. In doing so, it helps reduce dependence on foreign-controlled supply chains and supports the development of a more secure and resilient domestic battery materials ecosystem in the United States.
