Pilot operation positions Texarkana region as emerging hub for domestic battery mineral production
TEXARKANA, Texas — EnergyX has commissioned its Project Lonestar Lithium demonstration facility at TexAmericas Center, marking a significant step toward building a scalable, U.S.-based supply of battery-grade lithium and strengthening the domestic critical minerals pipeline.
The $30 million pilot facility, located on the East Campus of TexAmericas Center, is designed to produce approximately 250 tons of lithium annually using the company’s proprietary direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology. The operation serves as a validation phase for a planned commercial-scale facility that could reach up to 50,000 tons of annual production within the next five years.
The project positions the Texarkana region at the forefront of the nation’s energy transition, as demand for lithium continues to surge alongside growth in electric vehicles, grid storage, and advanced manufacturing.
“This milestone represents a major step forward for domestic lithium production and U.S. energy independence,” said Scott Norton, Executive Director and CEO of TexAmericas Center. “EnergyX’s technology and long-term vision align with the kind of advanced manufacturing and critical mineral projects our site is built to support.”
The facility was officially commissioned on March 26, with industry leaders, regional stakeholders, and project partners attending a ribbon-cutting event and touring the operational plant. Attendees observed the full production process—from Smackover brine extraction through to battery-grade lithium output—highlighting the project’s vertically integrated approach.
EnergyX selected the Texarkana location in part due to access to lithium-rich brine resources in Northeast Texas, a key advantage for long-term scalability.
“The lithium resource is literally beneath our feet,” said Teague Egan, Founder and CEO of EnergyX. “This location gives us a strategic foundation to scale production and support the growing domestic battery supply chain.”
Site Readiness Accelerates Deployment
A key factor in the project’s rapid deployment was TexAmericas Center’s ability to provide speed-to-market advantages through existing infrastructure, available buildings, and streamlined permitting.
The demonstration facility is housed within a 22,000-square-foot retrofitted former Army warehouse, allowing EnergyX to move quickly from concept to commissioning while minimizing upfront construction timelines.
TexAmericas Center supported the project through site selection, regulatory navigation, and utility coordination, while also aligning workforce development resources and public-sector partners to support long-term growth.
For site selectors and manufacturers, the project underscores how shovel-ready assets and coordinated economic development support can accelerate complex industrial and energy projects.
Workforce and Expansion Outlook
EnergyX’s presence is expected to drive continued investment and job creation in the region, with current hiring focused on operators, engineers, and technical roles. Workforce demand is projected to expand significantly as the company advances toward full-scale commercial production.
By combining proprietary extraction technology with access to regional resources and industrial infrastructure, EnergyX is establishing a scalable model for domestic lithium production—reducing reliance on foreign supply chains while supporting the growth of U.S.-based battery and energy manufacturing.
TexAmericas Center: Built for Scale
Spanning nearly 12,000 acres with approximately 3.5 million square feet of industrial and logistics space, TexAmericas Center continues to position itself as a national hub for advanced manufacturing, energy innovation, and large-scale industrial projects.
Its designation as a top-ranked industrial park, combined with multimodal logistics access and on-site rail infrastructure, enables companies to transition efficiently from pilot operations to full production.
