Europe’s First Commercial Lithium Production Begins

Vulcan Energy Resources has made a significant breakthrough in the European battery supply chain by commencing the production of Lithium Chloride (LiCl), a crucial component for electric vehicles. This milestone marks the first instance of such production in Europe, setting a new standard for sustainable lithium extraction.

Operating from its Lithium Extraction Optimisation Plant (LEOP) in Landau, Germany, Vulcan is utilizing brine to produce lithium chloride. The €40m LEOP plant has demonstrated impressive early results, achieving over 90% (up to 95%) lithium extraction efficiency from its Adsorption-type Direct Lithium Extraction (A-DLE) unit. These results align with Vulcan's commercial plant expectations and financing model.

The successful start of production follows extensive in-house piloting by Vulcan, involving over three years and more than 10,000 hours of testing. The company has shown high lithium recoveries and exceptional adsorbent life cycles, paving the way for the next phase of production at the Phase One commercial facility, which is anticipated to cater to the lithium needs of 500,000 electric vehicles.

Vulcan's partnership with Volkswagen further solidifies its position in the European battery supply chain. By implementing the sustainable A-DLE process, which currently represents 10% of global lithium production, Vulcan is demonstrating the viability of environmentally friendly lithium production in the Upper Rhine Valley Brine Field.

The company's commitment to sustainability extends to its use of geothermal renewable energy in the production process, effectively reducing the carbon footprint associated with lithium production. This innovative approach aligns with Vulcan's mission to revolutionize domestic lithium supply for Europe's battery industry.