Avalon Successfully Produces Lithium Hydroxide and Analcime Using Metso's Alkaline Leach Process

Innovative process sets a new benchmark for environmental performance, achieving near-zero discharge in a green, sustainable manner

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 9, 2025) - Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. (TSX: AVL) (OTCQB: AVLNF) ("Avalon" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the successful production of lithium hydroxide and analcime, a byproduct that can be used in the aggregate business, using Metso's proprietary Alkaline Leach Process (ALP). This achievement represents a significant milestone in Avalon's strategy to establish a sustainable, low-impact processing solution for North America's emerging lithium supply chain at its Thunder Bay Lithium Processing Facility in Ontario, Canada.

Technical Highlights:

• Avalon successfully demonstrated the conversion of lithium-bearing mineral concentrate into lithium hydroxide, confirming both high recovery and purity levels.
• The process simultaneously produced analcime, an inert, neutral, and reusable byproduct, eliminating the formation of sodium sulfate waste common in acid-based systems.
• The trial validated that no sulfuric acid or sulfate reagents are required, removing the generation of corrosive effluents and significantly reducing handling and environmental risk.
• Early assessments indicate potential reductions of up to 60% in water use and a smaller carbon footprint compared to conventional acid leach or roasting flowsheets.
• The Metso process is environmentally safe relative to other processes, produces environmentally benign byproducts like analcime, reducing effluent treatment requirements, tailings risk, and carbon emissions-a major advantage under Canada's environmental frameworks.
• This alkaline leach route consumes less energy and water than traditional acid roasting, contributing to a smaller environmental footprint and achieves close to zero discharge.
• Metso's technology directly advances the objectives of Canada's Critical Minerals Strategy, Strategic Innovation Fund, and Clean Growth Hub-facilitating the production of clean, innovative lithium hydroxide at a time when governments are seeking to establish more secure lithium supply chains and Canada faces a significant projected shortage of lithium refining capacity.

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