Trafigura inks 10-year offtake with Smackover Lithium
Global commodities trader Trafigura has signed a binding take-or-pay offtake agreement with Smackover Lithium for battery-grade lithium carbonate from the South West Arkansas (SWA) project in the US.
Smackover Lithium is a joint venture between Standard Lithium and Equinor.
Under the agreement, Trafigura will purchase 8 000 t/y of lithium carbonate over a ten-year period, totalling 80 000 t, with deliveries beginning once commercial production starts.
The SWA project is targeting initial production of 22 500 t/y of battery-grade lithium carbonate, with potential for future expansion.
Smackover Lithium is aiming to make a final investment decision on the project in 2026, with first production anticipated in 2028.
The project will use direct lithium extraction technology to recover lithium from brine resources in the Smackover Formation in southern Arkansas.
Trafigura said the agreement supported the development of domestic lithium supply in the US, helping strengthen supply chains for a critical mineral widely used in battery manufacturing and emerging technologies.
“We are pleased to have signed this offtake agreement with Smackover Lithium, further strengthening our North American critical minerals footprint,” said Trafigura head of metals and minerals Gonzalo De Olazaval.
“The SWA project is expected to provide a reliable source of battery-grade lithium carbonate produced in the United States, enhancing domestic supply chains. We look forward to collaborating with Smackover Lithium on this strategic project and to delivering this material to customers across North America and globally.”
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