My vague recollection is that newer lithium battery chemistries (increasingly used in EVs) use hydroxide - hence ORE's decision to produce hydroxide. As dyeman has pointed out the cost savings of the lower grade carbonate feedstock into the conversion plant goes someway towards compensating for the conversion cost. It is argued that the total cost of the brine hydroxide route is still very competitive.
ORE Price at posting:
$4.36 Sentiment: None Disclosure: Held