# 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.*

**Published:** September 19, 2026  
**By:** Seung-min Park  
**Section:** Batteries & Electric Vehicles — South Korea  
**Format:** Company Watch  
**Confidence:** high  
**Source:** https://eastasiabrief.com/batteries-ev/lg-energy-solution-locks-us-lithium-supply-smackover-pact-320  
**Publisher:** East Asia Brief (https://eastasiabrief.com/)

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## What to know

- LG Energy Solution contracts 80,000 metric tons of US lithium carbonate over 10 years
- Smackover Lithium commits ~90% of South West Arkansas project volume ahead of FID
- Commercial deliveries begin in 2029 following 2026 final investment decision

![A scientist tests liquid samples beside industrial processing tanks and outdoor brine extraction pools. (AI-generated image)](https://eastasiabrief.com/media/2026-09-19-6b16aed317ea.webp)
*A scientist tests liquid samples beside industrial processing tanks and outdoor brine extraction pools. (AI-generated image)*

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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Cite as: East Asia Brief, "LG Energy Solution locks US lithium supply in Smackover pact," September 19, 2026. https://eastasiabrief.com/batteries-ev/lg-energy-solution-locks-us-lithium-supply-smackover-pact-320