Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
December 09, 2025
Standard Lithium & Equinor Secure $1B+ Interest for Arkansas Lithium Project
TLDR
- Standard Lithium's joint venture secured over $1 billion in ECA interest for Arkansas project financing, offering investors strategic advantage in near-commercial lithium development.
- The joint venture combines ECA-backed lending with commercial bank tranches to pursue up to $1.1 billion in limited recourse project financing for Phase 1 construction.
- This sustainable lithium production project advances green energy solutions, supporting cleaner technologies and reducing environmental impact through innovative brine processing methods.
- Standard Lithium's Smackover Formation projects include North America's highest known lithium brine grade, showcasing cutting-edge direct lithium extraction technology in Arkansas and Texas.
Impact - Why it Matters
This development matters because it signals strong international confidence in North America's lithium supply chain development at a critical time. As global demand for lithium continues to surge with the electric vehicle revolution and energy storage expansion, domestic production becomes increasingly strategic for energy security and economic competitiveness. The involvement of major Export Credit Agencies like EXIM and Export Finance Norway provides validation of the project's viability and reduces financing risks, potentially accelerating North America's transition toward lithium self-sufficiency. For investors, this represents a significant milestone toward Final Investment Decision for a project in the world-class Smackover Formation, while for the clean energy sector, it supports the development of sustainable lithium extraction methods that could reduce environmental impacts compared to traditional mining. The project's advancement contributes to building resilient supply chains less dependent on foreign lithium sources, which has become a priority for governments and industries worldwide.
Summary
Standard Lithium Ltd. (NYSE American: SLI), in partnership with global energy leader Equinor through their Smackover Lithium joint venture, has received a major financial endorsement for its South West Arkansas (SWA) Project. The joint venture reported securing over $1 billion in expressions of interest from major Export Credit Agencies (ECAs), including EXIM and Export Finance Norway, for senior secured project debt to support Phase 1 construction. This market sounding with global lenders delivered strong interest at indicative terms that exceeded the targeted debt amount of up to $1.1 billion, combining ECA-backed lending and guarantees with an uncovered commercial bank tranche. The response underscores the project's strategic importance and technological de-risking as the JV advances toward a Final Investment Decision, though all expressions remain subject to due diligence, approvals, and definitive documentation.
Standard Lithium is a leading near-commercial lithium development company focused on sustainable development of large, high-grade lithium-brine properties in the United States, particularly in the world-class Smackover Formation in Arkansas and Texas. The company prioritizes projects with high-grade resources, robust infrastructure, skilled labor, and streamlined permitting, aiming to achieve commercial-scale lithium production through scalable Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) and purification processes. Their flagship SWA Project is a greenfield development in southern Arkansas, while they're also advancing the Franklin Project in East Texas, which represents the highest known lithium brine grade project in North America. The company trades on both the TSX Venture Exchange and NYSE American under the symbol "SLI."
This news was disseminated through the InvestorWire platform, which is part of the Dynamic Brand Portfolio at IBN, providing advanced wire-grade press release syndication and corporate communications solutions. InvestorWire offers access to a vast network of wire solutions, article and editorial syndication to over 5,000 outlets, enhanced press release features, social media distribution to millions of followers, and tailored corporate communications services. For more details about the full press release, readers can visit the provided link, and for ongoing updates about Standard Lithium, they can access the company's newsroom through the InvestorWire platform.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by InvestorBrandNetwork (IBN). Read the original source here, Standard Lithium & Equinor Secure $1B+ Interest for Arkansas Lithium Project
