One World Lithium Inc. (CSE: OWLI) has announced the successful delivery of specialised industrial nanobubble generators from Moleaer Inc. to both the University of California, Irvine and the University of British Columbia. The equipment deployment marks a critical step in advancing the company's proprietary Direct Lithium Carbonation Extraction (DLCE) technology from bench scale toward a mobile, containerised pilot plant. Investors may be watching closely as OWL moves to validate a single-step lithium carbonate production process that the company states eliminates traditional concentration methods and could reduce both capital and operating costs.

Key Points

  • One World Lithium Inc. (CSE: OWLI) announced delivery of Moleaer nanobubble equipment to UCI and UBC for DLCE research and development testing.
  • Both universities are finalising research environments to test DLCE technology, building on two patent-pending applications filed in June 2023.
  • Moleaer will assist in constructing the first field-test pilot plant at its Los Angeles facilities, with engineering work scheduled to begin in early 2027.
  • Investors may watch for updates on Phase 1 process optimisation results and progress toward pilot-scale lithium carbonate production.

Moleaer Equipment Delivered as OWL Advances DLCE University Research

Moleaer Inc., described in the announcement as the global leader in nanobubble technology, custom-built the specialised generators specifically for this initiative. Under a finalised statement of work, UBC and UCI will pursue two primary research phases. Phase 1 centres on validating and optimising the DLCE process, which uses carbon dioxide nanobubbles to separate lithium from natural brines, targeting direct lithium carbonate production without pre-concentration or post-concentration stages. Moleaer will collaborate directly with OWL and both university R&D teams throughout laboratory testing and engineering evaluations.

Co-Production of Industrial Carbonates Could Enhance Project Economics

Alongside core lithium extraction work, research teams at UCI and UBC will evaluate the recovery and co-production of additional high-value industrial carbonates from brine, including sodium, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. The company states that successful recovery at scale could introduce incremental revenue streams and significantly enhance overall project economics. Phase 2 research will extend testing to lithium-bearing clay, aiming to validate the DLCE technology's ability to produce lithium carbonate without sulfuric acids, soda ash, sorbents, or energy-intensive concentration steps.

Carbon-Negative Extraction Cycle Targeted Through CO2 Integration

The DLCE process is designed to incorporate CO2 gases directly into the separation chemistry, with the company targeting what it describes as a carbon-negative, emission-free extraction cycle. OWL states the streamlined process could substantially reduce environmental footprint while qualifying for carbon credit opportunities. Pending pilot testing outcomes, the company anticipates meaningful reductions in both CAPEX and OPEX relative to conventional evaporation pond operations and standard Direct Lithium Extraction technologies, which typically require extensive downstream chemical refining of lithium intermediates.

Los Angeles Pilot Plant Engineering Scheduled for Early 2027

Following laboratory testing at both universities, Moleaer will assist OWL in constructing the first field-test pilot plant at Moleaer's facilities in Los Angeles, California. The announcement states that engineering work at that facility is scheduled to begin in early 2027, while continuous laboratory testing remains underway in parallel. The immediate share price impact was not clear from available public information.