image of Kings Mountain processing plant
ABOUT KINGS MOUNTAIN

Albemarle is a leading provider of lithium, bromine and other essential elements. 

We play a fundamental role in advancing safer and more sustainable mobility by being the leading provider of materials that make mobility better and cleaner from the battery in EVs to the initiator for airbags and more. 

What We Do

We develop products that make buildings more efficient and energy grid storage safe, reliable, scalable and cost-effective. 

We enable the always-on world to make technology more consistent and reliable, from fire safety compounds in industrial wires and cables to the protective glass on phones. 

We produce specialty chemicals and additives for medicines, disinfectants and solutions that keep our food and water safe and plentiful.  

Lithium from Albemarle’s proposed mine project in Kings Mountain is expected to play a critical role in growing the U.S. lithium supply chain.  

 

workers at processing plant

LITHIUM CONVERSION OPERATIONS

Transforming essential lithium resources into critical ingredients for mobility, energy, connectivity and health.

The Kings Mountain site includes a 5,500-ton lithium conversion facility that produces lithium compounds that are used to manufacture materials that go into products we use every day. The facility produces lithium hydroxide, pharmaceutical-grade and high-purity lithium carbonate, battery-grate lithium metal products and lithium alloy powders. 

Lithium in Everyday Life

Lithium is one of the world’s most important minerals. It helps power our lives as a building block for modern battery technology, enabling electrification, clean energy and sustainable transportation, particularly electric vehicles. It’s so critical that the pioneers of lithium-ion battery technology won the Nobel Prize in chemistry in 2019 for their work in technology recognized as the “basis of our new rechargeable world.”

 

Lithium compounds are used to manufacture many of the products we all use every day. 

 

Lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide are needed for lithium-ion batteries in our mobile devices like smartphones and tablet computers, as well as in electric vehicles. Butyllithium is needed for the production of synthetic rubber for tires. Lithium organics are versatile tools for the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, flavors and fragrances. The glass industry requires lithium carbonate or spodumene to improve the properties of glass. A cook plate made of glass ceramics would not exist without lithium carbonate as this ingredient reduces its thermal expansion. Lithium bromide is used in industrial absorption refrigeration systems installed in large buildings and industrial plants for air conditioning or process cooling.

Lithium 101 illustrated chart on it's importance in everyday life
Woman in lab.

HIGH IMPACT INNOVATION

One of the world's most advanced lithium material sites.

As the world continues to electrify, Albemarle is pioneering technologies that will drive greater energy density to support reduced battery weight and volume and increase range. In Kings Mountain, Albemarle operates one of the world’s most advanced lithium material sites, offering process technology and development, and a state-of-the-art research and development center, featuring a world-class facility for battery materials synthesis and testing. 

OUR COMMITMENT TO SAFETY AT KINGS MOUNTAIN

Safety. At Albemarle it’s more than a priority.

We care about the health and wellbeing of our employees, contractors, suppliers, business partners, and host communities. By fostering a strong safety culture throughout our organization, we are committed to helping ensure that everyone goes home safe and healthy every day. Keeping each other safe is a personal and mutual responsibility that we take very seriously. We operate our sites in accordance with applicate health and safety laws and regulations. 

Our emphasis on safety has propelled Albemarle to be a top-performing company in the chemical industry. In fact, our injury and illness rates have historically been some of the lowest of chemical producers and we have received numerous local and national awards for our safety performance. In addition to manufacturing our products with a focus on safety, we put safety first in distributing our products to our customers.  

To do so, a multidisciplinary team assesses and monitors the safety and security issues connected with distribution of our regulated materials. This dedicated team has upgraded our product containers for several regulated products, added improved container routing and tracking systems and defined enhanced training and improved equipment for our haulers. 

From engaging with our communities, to managing natural resources, to building stakeholder value – we are committed to sustainability and to doing our part to make the world a better place, today and tomorrow. 

Black and white photo of drilling in Kings Mountain.

KINGS MOUNTAIN HISTORY

A Proud Mining Community

For more than a century, the Kings Mountain region has been known for its rich geological resources.

Black and white photo of Kings Mountain plant in 1952.
KINGS MOUNTAIN HISTORY

The Early Years

Lithium mining started at Kings Mountain in 1942 as there was a growing need for the raw material as the world progressed into World War II. Lithium was used by the Army and Navy and in the industrial production of materials like aluminum and steel to strengthen their structural properties. 

Notably, lithium was used as part of a lubricant for airplane engines that could withstand extreme hot and cold temperatures during flight. It was also used to create the hydrogen gas used by the Army and Navy's observation balloons. 

 

1968 photo of equipment within mine.
KINGS MOUNTAIN HISTORY

The Cold War Era

The mine continued contributing to national defense when it was contracted by the Atomic Energy Commission to supply Li-6 during the Cold War era.  The mine continued operation into the 1990’s until Rockwood Lithium, company that owned the mine, paused production to focus on resources in Chile.

Aerial view of modern day Kings Mountain.
KINGS MOUNTAIN HISTORY

Modern Day

Albemarle acquired Kings Mountain as part of the Rockwood Holdings acquisition in 2015. Today, the Kings Mountain location not only houses a domestic lithium resource, it also includes our 5,500-ton conversion site that produces battery-grade lithium hydroxide for customers around the world.


Kings Mountain historical timeline.

Contact The Albemarle Kings Mountain Team