# Lilac Solutions

> Lilac Solutions is an Oakland-based cleantech company commercializing a patented ion-exchange technology that pulls lithium directly out of brine - using ceramic beads instead of evaporation ponds. The process is faster, uses up to 90% less freshwater, and is designed to unlock low-grade brine resources around the world to feed the electric-vehicle battery supply chain.

- **Founded:** 2016
- **Headquarters:** Oakland, California, United States
- **Founders:** David Snydacker (Founder & former CEO (now Chief Strategy / Founder role))
- **Team size:** ~200
- **Products:** Ion Exchange (IX) Lithium Extraction Technology, Fifth-Generation IX Media, Commercial IX Media Manufacturing (Fernley, NV), Project Development & Field Piloting
- **Notable:** Raised ~$368M in total funding across Pre-A through Series C., Completed first commercial IX media manufacturing line in Fernley, Nevada (January 2026)., Launched fifth-generation IX technology in October 2025.

## Products & services

- **Ion Exchange (IX) Lithium Extraction Technology** — A direct lithium extraction system built on patented ceramic IX beads that selectively absorb lithium from brine. Lithium is eluted as lithium chloride, then converted into battery-grade lithium carbonate or hydroxide.
- **Fifth-Generation IX Media** — Released October 2025. Increases media productivity and durability, improves eluate quality, and simplifies brine pretreatment - cutting both capex and opex for lithium producers.
- **Commercial IX Media Manufacturing (Fernley, NV)** — Nevada plant completed January 2026. Initial capacity of 200 tonnes/year of IX media - enough to support up to 100,000 tonnes/year of lithium carbonate equivalent production worldwide.
- **Project Development & Field Piloting** — End-to-end engineering, piloting, and deployment support for lithium brine project developers, from feasibility studies through commercial systems.

## Achievements

- Raised ~$368M in total funding across Pre-A through Series C.
- Completed first commercial IX media manufacturing line in Fernley, Nevada (January 2026).
- Launched fifth-generation IX technology in October 2025.
- Brought BMW i Ventures, Mitsubishi, and Mercuria onto the cap table.
- Demonstrated up to 90% reduction in freshwater use vs. evaporation-pond mining.

## Latest updates

- **2026-01** — Completed construction of commercial-scale IX media manufacturing line in Fernley, Nevada.
- **2025-10** — Unveiled fifth-generation ion exchange lithium extraction technology.
- **2024-02** — Closed $145M Series C led by Mercuria, Lowercarbon Capital, and Breakthrough Energy Ventures.
- **2023** — Raef Sully appointed CEO to scale Lilac into a global commercial operator.

## Links

- Website: https://lilacsolutions.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lilac-solutions-inc.
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/Lilac_Solutions

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/lilac
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-05-28