Image source: Infraserv GmbH & Co. Höchst KG

Vulcan Energy announces the production of lithium hydroxide in the Central Lithium Electrolysis Optimization Plant (CLEOP) in the Höchst Industrial Park in Frankfurt. It is the first lithium hydroxide to be produced sustainably in Europe from raw material to final product. The precursor comes from Vulcan's first optimization plant in Landau, where the company uses direct lithium extraction by adsorption (A-DLE) to produce high-purity lithium chloride, which is then further processed into lithium hydroxide in the Höchst plant. The result: a fully integrated supply chain from raw material to final product. This is therefore not only a significant milestone for Europe's independence from critical raw materials, but also for the transition to green mobility.

Vulcan's optimization plants are primarily used to carry out product quality tests and are precursors to the planned commercial plants. The lithium produced there will be made available to Vulcan's offtake partners from the battery and automotive industries for product validation in the first project phase, including Stellantis, Renault, LG and Umicore. Vulcan has named the first project phase "Lionheart". This first commercial phase will produce around 24,000 tons of lithium per year, which is enough for around 500,000 electric vehicles per year. The commercial Central Lithium Plant (CLP) will also be built in the Höchst Industrial Park.

Vulcan only uses renewable, green electricity for the electrolysis process that takes place in the CLEOP. The process of direct lithium extraction by adsorption is powered by renewable heat. This enables Vulcan to create one of the most cost-effective supply chains for lithium in the world. In addition, the site of the first production phase is in the immediate vicinity of German and European automotive customers who need batteries for electric vehicles as part of the mobility transition. Vulcan will also not use any fossil fuels in the extraction and processing of lithium, which means that the process has the lowest carbon footprint of all lithium production worldwide.

Recently, Vulcan's Green Financing Framework was awarded Dark Green status by independent rating agency S&P Global Ratings - the highest possible rating ever given to a company in the metals and mining industry. This status is awarded to projects that are consistent with the long-term goals of a carbon-neutral and climate-resilient future. The excess heat and energy generated in the process will be provided to communities in the region and used to decarbonize local industry.

“The first sustainable lithium produced entirely in Europe from our two optimization plants is an important milestone for the company and crucial for the resilience of the battery value chain in Germany and Europe. Importantly, the combination of A-DLE and geothermal energy enables a very cost-effective, highly sustainable premium product and helps to strengthen the competitiveness of European battery and electric vehicle production,” said Vulcan's Managing Director and CEO, Cris Moreno.