The merger of Allkem and Livent has formed the 3rd largest lithium producer in the world, after Albemarle and Chile’s SQM, at least if you’re mainly looking at the rated output of the projects owned by each individual company. In reality, CEO Paul Graves admits that while its projects will often be producing lithium hydroxide or even technical grade lithium salts which require upgrading, its regional strategy between producing in Argentina and Canada should put the company into a good position. Lithium hydroxide will primarily be sold into North American markets due to its use in high-nickel ternary battery cathodes which boast higher energy densities and thermal operability, though lithium phosphate batteries are rapidly closing in on both of these…