Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD Group), the largest operator of integrated and purpose-built economic zones, has signed a 50-year land lease agreement with UAE-based Titan Lithium for the establishment of a state-of-the-art lithium processing plant in Khalifa Industrial Area (KEZAD Al Ma’mourah).

To be developed in three stages with $1.3 million (AED 5 billion) in investment by Titan Lithium, the plant will produce battery-grade lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide for battery makers and electric vehicle OEMs around the world.

Spanning over 290,000 square meters, the plant represents a critical turning point in the UAE’s development as a key force in the worldwide lithium processing market.

Mohamed Al Khadar Al Ahmed, CEO of KEZAD Group, stated that, “The establishment of the lithium processing plant aligns with the UAE’s broader goals of innovation and sustainable development, as well as KEZAD Group’s goals for sustainable development. It is an extension of synergies announced during COP28 in the UAE, and the vision of the leadership of the country.”

Once established, the plant will be importing approximately 150,000 tons of Lithium annually from its mines in Zimbabwe for processing through the adjacent Khalifa Port. This is a clear illustration of the AD Ports Group symbiotic ecosystem built in Abu Dhabi, whereby the whole ecosystem benefits through revenue synergies from a significant development for one of the five vertically integrated clusters.

The project is poised to create a number of job opportunities, stimulate the local economy, and place Abu Dhabi at the forefront of the lithium processing industry. As the world transitions to renewable energy sources, the role of lithium as a key component in this shift becomes increasingly vital.

The proposed plant will use state-of-the-art technologies and the best sustainable practices in its operations, ensuring the highest level of environmental responsibility while driving forward the global electric vehicle revolution.

Vaibhav Jain, Founder and President of Titan Lithium Industries, said that, “Our facility in KEZAD is not just an investment in the future of Abu Dhabi and Titan Lithium Industries, but a stride towards a sustainable and better future for the world. Lithium is the new oil, and through this project, we are positioning the UAE, and specifically Abu Dhabi, as a pivotal hub in the lithium processing domain.”