LG Energy Solution locks US lithium supply in Smackover pact
The 10-year offtake contract yields 80,000 tons of battery-grade lithium carbonate from an Arkansas direct extraction project to qualify North American cells for federal EV subsidies.
SPBy Seung-min Park, Korea correspondent, batteries and EVs··Updated September 19, 2026·4 min read
LG Energy Solution confirmed Sept. 19 it finalized terms to buy 80,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate from Smackover Lithium, securing a 10-year domestic critical mineral pipeline across North America.
The supplier is an American joint venture formed by Arkansas developer Standard Lithium and Norwegian state energy producer Equinor. The partnership extracts battery minerals from underground brine formations in the Smackover basin.
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Korea correspondent, batteries and EVs — Seung-min Park covers Korean cell makers and the cathode and separator suppliers behind them, including their plants in North America and Europe.
