Lithium chloride (LiCl) occupies a specialized niche in the lithium value chain. While most battery-grade lithium chemicals are sold as carbonate (Li₂CO₃) or hydroxide (LiOH), LiCl is a key intermediate in certain brine-to-carbonate routes, a precursor for organolithium reagents, and an electrolyte salt for select processes. Production is primarily brine-based: salar brines rich in lithium are evaporatively concentrated, then processed through precipitation and ion-exchange or solvent extraction steps to remove magnesium, calcium, and boron, followed by conversion to lithium chloride brine or crystals. Alternative routes convert spodumene-derived sulfate or carbonate intermediates to LiCl where downstream specifications favor it.