Tesla has released a video showcasing its new lithium refinery in Texas, confirming that the facility is now operational and marking the first of its kind in North America. The plant processes spodumene ore into battery-grade lithium hydroxide using an innovative, sustainable method. CEO Elon Musk described it as the largest and most advanced in the United States.
Tesla unveiled a closer look at its lithium refinery near Corpus Christi, Texas, through a video released on January 14, 2026. The facility in Robstown, where groundbreaking occurred in 2023, has achieved full integrated startup late in 2025 and is now operational in 2026.
Site manager Jason Bevan highlighted the rapid timeline in the video: “From breaking ground in 2023 to running rock through the kiln in 2024 to start a full integrated plant startup now in 2025.” This marks the first refinery in North America converting spodumene, a hard-rock lithium ore, directly into battery-grade lithium hydroxide. The process involves kilns and cooling, followed by alkaline leaching, purification, and crystallization, bypassing traditional intermediate steps.
Unlike conventional acid-based methods that produce hazardous byproducts, Tesla's acid-free approach generates a benign co-product—referred to as “analy” in one account, likely analcime, or anhydrite in another—that consists of sand and limestone suitable for concrete mixes. Bevan stated, “Our process is more sustainable than traditional methods and eliminates hazardous byproducts.” The company credits parallel feasibility studies, design, and construction for the fastest time-to-market for such technology.
Elon Musk reinforced the milestone on X, calling it “the largest Lithium refinery in America” that is now operational, “the most advanced lithium refinery in the world,” and “very clean.” This development reduces Tesla's reliance on foreign refining, supporting its U.S. battery and EV production amid fluctuating lithium prices, which have recently spiked.
However, industry observers note that while startup is impressive—taking just two to three years from final investment—the real challenge lies in ramping up to meaningful capacity. Similar refineries in Australia have faced difficulties in this phase, and recent drone footage suggests Tesla's plant may not yet be at full scale. Planning for the project began earlier, with technology contributions from partner Metso.
