Crystallization: Contributing to Circularity

In a variety of industrial applications, crystallization technologies contribute to the circularity of manufacturing processes and supply chains Crystallization is a major unit operation in the chemical process industries (CPI), typically used for separating and purifying materials in a wide variety of applications, from the manufacture of commodities, such as salts and fertilizers, to pharmaceutical ingredients, fine chemicals and food products. In recent years, much of the demand for crystallization equipment has been due to the rise in demand for battery metals, especially lithium. Driven by the demand for electric vehicles and the push for a more circular economy, lithium producers are increasingly seeking to efficiently recover lithium from resources that may have been previously disregarded due to the presence of impurities. Effective crystallization processes are a critical step in recovering battery-grade lithium from low-quality resources, and technology providers are designing their processes to meet these needs. Furthermore, crystallization is also a cornerstone in other sustainability-focused market sectors, including recycling, bio-based materials and wastewater treatment. This article examines the ways that crystallization…