Product
Battery-grade Lithium Hydroxide from Sustainable Electrolysis Process
We produce high-purity lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LHM) through a low-emission electrolysis-based process using renewable electricity.
Author
Ana Matias
Grant & Resources Manager
LIFTHIUM ENERGY S A
Oeiras, Portugal
Grant & Resources Manager at Lifthium Energy — pioneering green lithium refining with electrolysis to deliver net-zero LHM for EVs across Europe.
My organisation
Lifthium was born out of the entrepreneurial spirit of José de Mello, one of Portugal's largest business groups with over 125 years of history, and the industrial experience of Bondalti, a company in the group that is today an international benchmark in the chemical industry, being the largest Iberian producer of chlorine and the European leader in sales of aniline and nitrobenzene.
It is on this know-how and commitment to excellence that Lifthium's development pillars are based.
Lifthium Energy is focused on refining lithium using sustainable technologies with a low carbon footprint - so - called green lithium.
To achieve this goal, Lifthium is creating an innovative ecosystem characterised by high efficiency, the use of clean technologies and renewable energies in the refining processes.
The end product of its activity will be sustainable, high-quality lithium hydroxide for the emerging electrified mobility value chain, specifically for supplying traction battery manufacturers.
With its differentiating proposal, Lifthium will play a leading role in the energy transition, in line with global decarbonisation objectives, establishing itself as a global player of reference in its sector of activity.
Lifthiumis part of the European consortium IPCEI EuBaTin – European Battery Innovation and is a member of ILiA - International Lithium Association, achieved Project of National Interest (PIN) status in Portugal, and was selected as one of the 47 strategic projects under the EU Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA).
Lifthium aims to operate three plants, two of which will be in operation by 2030, enabling it to reach an annual refining capacity of around 50,000 tonnes.
This rate of supply of lithium hydroxide will be sufficient for the traction batteries of more than two million electric cars, responding significantly to the projected increase in demand for lithium on the global markets, estimated at around 20% a year until 2030.
For Lifthium, the global goals of sustainability and innovation necessarily imply a convergence effort, which is why the company considers it strategic to establish partnerships with other major players in the sector.
In the context of the sharp growth in demand for lithium on the global markets until 2030, lithium hydroxide is set to play an increasingly prominent role, and is expected to overtake demand for lithium carbonate by the end of the decade.
About me
Ana Luisa Matias is a strategic leader in European innovation funding and sustainable industrial development, currently serving as Grant & Resources Manager at Lifthium Energy — a pioneering company focused on green lithium refining for electric mobility and energy storage applications.
With a strong academic foundation, including an Executive Master’s in Management and Public Policies from ISCTE Executive Education, Ana Luisa brings over a decade of experience in developing and implementing high-impact funding strategies across the public and private sectors. Her expertise spans the full lifecycle of grant acquisition — from identifying competitive financing opportunities and building strong consortia, to drafting successful proposals and ensuring compliance with complex EU frameworks such as the Innovation Fund, Horizon Europe, PRR, and IPCEI initiatives.
At Lifthium Energy, Ana Luisa plays a pivotal role in securing non-dilutive capital to accelerate the deployment of Europe’s first industrial-scale lithium hydroxide refinery powered by electrolysis and renewable electricity. Under her leadership, the company has already secured over €50 million in public funding, achieved Project of National Interest (PIN) status in Portugal, and was selected as one of the 47 strategic projects under the EU Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA).
Ana Luisa is recognized for her ability to translate complex technical projects into compelling, fundable narratives that align with EU Green Deal priorities and industrial policy. She collaborates closely with engineering teams, legal advisors, public authorities, and top European banks to structure robust business cases and financing plans that enable industrial-scale innovation aligned with sustainability and circular economy goals.
Beyond her role at Lifthium, Ana Luisa has been a vocal advocate for the strategic importance of resilient supply chains, responsible innovation, and gender equity in industrial leadership. She is known for her assertive communication style, diplomatic relationship management, and relentless focus on impact and execution.
With her combined experience in public policy, institutional relations, and industrial decarbonization, Ana Luisa Matias continues to shape the future of sustainable battery materials in Europe and beyond.