Standard Lithium-Equinor JV inks lithium offtake deal with Trafigura
March 9 (Reuters) - Standard Lithium SLI.V said on Monday its joint venture with Norway's Equinor EQNR.OL had signed its first binding offtake agreement to supply lithium carbonate from its southwest Arkansas project to commodities trader Trafigura.
The joint venture, Smackover Lithium, will supply Trafigura with 8,000 metric tons per year of battery-grade lithium carbonate over a 10-year period starting when commercial production begins.
The agreement marks a key milestone for the southwest Arkansas project as the partners seek to secure long-term customers and financing ahead of a final investment decision and construction.
Smackover Lithium is targeting about 22,500 metric tons of annual lithium carbonate production capacity in the project's first phase and plans to secure offtake agreements for around 80% of that output.
The Trafigura agreement covers more than 40% of that targeted volume.
Smackover Lithium expects to reach a final investment decision on the project in 2026, with first production anticipated in 2028.
