Electrochemical Enterprise Wins Prestigious BC Export Awards

British Columbia’s (B.C.) export sector is a cornerstone of the province’s prosperity, fueling employment, income and economic growth. This thriving landscape is showcased by the annual BC Export Awards, a prestigious program that has been recognizing the contributions of B.C.’s exporting companies and honouring remarkable achievements in export growth and success since 1982.

For the past 42 years, Business in Vancouver, a prominent source of business news and information in Vancouver and B.C., has been hosting the awards program which has celebrated over 300 companies for their contributions to the provincial economy. This year’s event, held on January 17, 2025, was presented by the Government of B.C., sponsored by Export Development Canada and supported by RBC.

Over the years, the awards program has expanded its categories to reflect B.C.’s diverse economy and export sector.

Vancouver-based NORAM Electrolysis Systems Inc. (NESI) won the “Advancing Technology & Innovation” category in the recently concluded 2024 BC Export Awards. NESI’s win highlights the importance of technological progress in bolstering B.C.’s export growth.

NESI collaborates with start-ups, established chemical producers and technology firms to develop, design and implement electrolysis process technologies for large-scale commercial production. The company focuses on commercializing electrochemical processes for industries, such as mineral processing, organic synthesis and wastewater treatment.

NESI specializes in technologies that sustainably produce battery grade lithium from a wide range of sources including both natural and recycled feedstocks. Their electrolysis technology can also be used to regenerate effluent into useful chemicals, giving lithium processors circular solutions so they can deliver responsible, sustainable products.  Their flagship NORSCAND® electrolyser was first demonstrated with Nemaska Lithium in Quebec in 2017 where lithium was refined using NESI’s electrochemical technology to produce battery grade lithium hydroxide which represented the first-time lithium hydroxide was produced in industrial quantities using electrochemical refining in Canada.

This technology also supports the recycling of critical metals from lithium-ion batteries, promoting the environment sustainability by eliminating effluents and converting waste streams into valuable chemicals. NESI was awarded $947,500 in funding from B.C. Centre of Innovation and Clean Energy’s (CICE) to help NESI validate its technology for the industrial-scale electrochemical regeneration of effluent from lithium-ion battery manufacturing, enhancing sustainability through circular processing. Further to this, in 2024 NESI received $4.5 million from Natural Resources Canada’s Critical Minerals Research, Development and Demonstration program to establish a demonstration plant and continuous improvement test centre – the Electrolysis Validation Centre in Richmond, B.C. allowing for fast-tracking commercial lithium production projects worldwide.

As the 2024 recipient of the Advancing Technology & Innovation category, NESI was celebrated for its innovative breakthroughs and technological advancements. This award acknowledges businesses that pioneer technology and significantly contribute to B.C.’s economy growth. NESI has completed several industrial scale projects in Europe, including a recent collaboration with Vulcan Energy Resources who are focused on sustainable domestic lithium production in Germany. Together, they energized Vulcan’s Central Lithium Hydroxide Optimisation Plant (CLEOP) in November 2024, producing Europe’s first domestic, sustainable battery-grade lithium. NESI delivers engineering solutions and products while championing a sustainable future.

NESI’s globally diversified client base, distributed across Europe, Canada, Oceana, the Middle East, the United States and South America make them a role model for diversification.

Along with sister company NORAM Engineering and Constructors Ltd., a company that has designed and commissioned new greenfield plants as well as retrofitted and expanded existing facilities for clients around the world since 1988, NESI is a subsidiary of NORAM Industrial Holdings.

Beyond individual success stories like NESI’s, the broader ecosystem supporting export growth in B.C. is crucial. Initiatives like Trade and Invest BC play a vital role in fostering this dynamic export economy.

Trade and Invest BC:

B.C. boasts a resilient and evolving export economy, bolstered by its strategic location on Canada’s west coast, which positions the province as a vital trade hub. This access to international markets has fostered a diversified export sector. B.C. also prioritizes strong environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles, enabling businesses to differentiate themselves globally. In addition to these export advantages, the province offers various resources to support business growth through international opportunities. Programs like Export Navigator and the Trade Accelerator Program provide valuable guidance for businesses seeking global expansion. These initiatives, alongside Trade and Invest BC, help promote B.C.’s international trade and offer insights into the province’s leading export industries.