SIMPEC Secures $4M Contract to Expand Tianqi Lithium Kwinana Plant

Contract Award Highlights Growing Lithium Sector Demand

WestStar Industrial Limited’s wholly owned subsidiary, SIMPEC, has been awarded a $4 million contract to deliver structural, mechanical, and piping works at the Tianqi Lithium Hydroxide Processing operation in Kwinana, Western Australia. This contract represents a meaningful expansion of the existing facility, aimed at boosting processing capacity to meet rising demand for lithium products.

The project is a clear reflection of the increasing momentum behind Australia’s energy transition, with lithium playing a pivotal role in powering electric vehicles and renewable energy storage. SIMPEC’s involvement underscores its strategic positioning as a trusted partner in complex industrial projects within the clean energy supply chain.

Project Scope and Timeline

The construction package awarded to SIMPEC involves comprehensive structural, mechanical, and piping (SMP) works that will integrate new mechanical equipment into the existing processing plant. The project is set to commence immediately and is targeted for completion by the fourth quarter of 2025, indicating a relatively swift turnaround for such a technically demanding upgrade.

Mark Dimasi, Managing Director of SIMPEC, highlighted the significance of this contract as a milestone that enhances the company’s reputation in the lithium and clean energy sectors. He emphasized SIMPEC’s commitment to delivering the project safely, efficiently, and to the highest standards, which will be critical given the technical complexity and strategic importance of the facility.

Strategic Implications for WestStar and the Sector

This contract award not only boosts SIMPEC’s project pipeline but also signals WestStar Industrial’s growing footprint in the renewable energy infrastructure space. Tianqi Lithium Energy Australia, a joint venture between Tianqi Lithium Corporation and IGO Limited, owns the Kwinana facility, underscoring the collaboration between major players in the lithium market.

As demand for lithium hydroxide continues to surge globally, projects like this will be essential to scaling up production capacity within Australia, a key supplier in the global battery metals market. SIMPEC’s role in this expansion could open doors to further contracts in the rapidly evolving energy transition landscape.