Keliber

About Keliber

Keliber Oy is a Finnish mining and battery chemical company positioned to become a significant European producer of battery-grade lithium hydroxide. Founded in 2000, the company's primary focus is the Keliber project, an advanced lithium initiative located in the Kaustinen and Kokkola regions of Central Ostrobothnia, Finland. The project is backed by its majority shareholder, the multinational mining and metals processing group Sibanye-Stillwater, which holds over 85% of the shares, and the Finnish Minerals Group, a state-owned holding company, as the second-largest shareholder.

The company's business model is centered on the vertically integrated production of high-purity lithium hydroxide from its own spodumene ore reserves, which are among the most significant in Europe. This integration encompasses the entire value chain, from mining and concentrating the ore at its facility in Kaustinen to the final chemical processing into lithium hydroxide at its refinery currently under construction in the Kokkola Industrial Park. This strategic location provides access to a deep-water port, facilitating efficient logistics. Production is anticipated to commence in 2025, with a planned annual output of 15,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide monohydrate.

Keliber's offering directly addresses the surging demand from the electric vehicle and energy storage sectors, which rely on lithium hydroxide as a critical component for high-nickel content lithium-ion batteries. By establishing a domestic European supply chain, Keliber aims to enhance supply security for the continent's burgeoning battery and automotive industries. The project emphasizes sustainable practices, utilizing state-of-the-art technology, including a soda leaching process that is considered more environmentally friendly, and aiming for low energy and water consumption. The construction phase is expected to employ up to 500 people, with a long-term operational workforce projected to be around 300 professionals.