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 for senior secured project debt to support Phase 1 construction of the South West Arkansas Project. This development represents a significant milestone for the lithium development sector, particularly in the United States where domestic production of critical minerals has become a national priority. 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 involvement of Export Credit Agencies including EXIM and Export Finance Norway indicates international confidence in the project's viability and strategic value. 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 and purification process. 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. The financial backing from Export Credit Agencies represents more than just capital infusion—it validates the technological approach and strategic positioning of the project within the global lithium supply chain. More information about the company is available at https://www.standardlithium.com. The full press release regarding the ECA interest can be viewed at https://ibn.fm/Tl1rh.

The implications of this financing development extend beyond the immediate project scope, potentially setting a precedent for how future critical mineral projects in North America secure international financing. The strong interest from ECAs suggests that institutional lenders recognize both the strategic importance of domestic lithium production and the technological maturity of Direct Lithium Extraction methods being employed. As the global transition to electric vehicles and renewable energy storage accelerates, securing reliable, sustainable lithium sources has become increasingly critical for national security and economic competitiveness. This financing milestone moves the South West Arkansas Project closer to becoming a significant contributor to the North American lithium supply chain, potentially reducing dependence on foreign sources of this critical mineral.