An alternative route involves the intermediacy of lithium sulfate:[8][9] The main by-products are gypsum and sodium sulphate, which have some market value.

[10] Albemarle's Kemerton WA plant, originally planned to deliver 100kt/y has been scaled back to 50kt/y.

[12] In 2020 Tianqi Lithium's, plant in Kwinana, Western Australia is the largest producer, with a capacity of 48kt/y.

Lithium hydroxide is used in breathing gas purification systems for spacecraft, submarines, and rebreathers to remove carbon dioxide from exhaled gas by producing lithium carbonate and water:[15] or The latter, anhydrous hydroxide, is preferred for its lower mass and lesser water production for respirator systems in spacecraft.

One gram of anhydrous lithium hydroxide can remove 450 cm3 of carbon dioxide gas.