Standard Lithium and Equinor Joint Venture Secures Over $1 Billion in ECA Interest for Arkansas Lithium Project

The Smackover Lithium joint venture between Standard Lithium Ltd. and Equinor has reported receiving 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 of the South West Arkansas Project. This development is critical as it demonstrates substantial international financial backing for a key domestic lithium production initiative, moving the United States closer to securing a stable, sustainable supply of this essential battery metal. The joint venture is pursuing up to $1.1 billion in limited recourse project financing, which would combine ECA-backed lending and guarantees with an uncovered commercial bank tranche.

Market sounding with global lenders delivered strong interest at indicative terms that exceeded the targeted debt amount and aligned with expectations on cost, tenor, and structure. Management stated that the response underscores the project's strategic importance and technological de-risking as the joint venture advances toward a Final Investment Decision. The significance of this financial interest cannot be overstated; it validates the project's economic and technical foundations at a pivotal moment, reducing perceived risks for other potential investors and stakeholders. All expressions of interest remain subject to due diligence, approvals, and definitive documentation.

Standard Lithium is a leading near-commercial lithium development company focused on the sustainable development of a portfolio of large, high-grade lithium-brine properties in the United States. The company prioritizes projects characterized by high-grade resources, robust infrastructure, skilled labor, and streamlined permitting. Standard Lithium aims to achieve sustainable, commercial-scale lithium production via the application of a scalable and fully integrated Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) and purification process. This approach is vital for minimizing environmental impact compared to traditional mining, addressing growing concerns about the sustainability of the clean energy transition.

The company's flagship projects are in the Smackover Formation, a world-class lithium brine asset, focused in Arkansas and Texas. In partnership with global energy leader Equinor, Standard Lithium is advancing the South West Arkansas Project, a greenfield project located in southern Arkansas, and actively advancing a promising lithium brine resource position in East Texas, including the highest known lithium brine grade project in North America, the Franklin Project. More information about the company is available at https://www.standardlithium.com. The successful financing of the South West Arkansas Project could serve as a blueprint for developing other domestic lithium resources, reducing reliance on foreign supply chains and bolstering national energy security. The latest news and updates relating to Standard Lithium are available in the company's newsroom at https://ibn.fm/SLI. The full press release regarding the ECA interest can be viewed at https://ibn.fm/Tl1rh.