Vulcan Energy has officially opened its downstream Central Lithium Electrolysis Optimization Plant (CLEOP) in a ceremony held on site at Industrial Park Höchst Frankfurt, Germany.
The opening of the downstream plant follows announcement that the plant is now producing lithium hydroxide from the processing of high purity lithium chloride concentrate extracted from brines at the Company’s upstream optimization plant in nearby Landau.
Several local, national and international guests from politics and industry attended the opening, including Deputy Prime Minister of Hessen, Kaweh Mansoori, and Australian Ambassador to Germany, Natasha Smith, highlighting the significance of the occasion to Germany, greater Europe and Australia.
Managing Director and CEO of Vulcan Energy, Cris Moreno commented: “Today marks a significant step forward in Vulcan’s aim to establish a domestic supply chain that provides the European automotive industry with green lithium for the production of electric vehicle (EV) batteries.
“This is a world-class facility which is already producing the first sustainable lithium hydroxide from raw material to end product, which is important for Europe’s independence from raw materials and for the transition to zero emission mobility.
“Our partners, customers, investors and employees have all joined together today in celebrating a momentous occasion and, as a company, we’re looking forward to many milestones still to come.”
Ambassador Smith said, “Vulcan’s CLEOP is an example of Australia and Germany working together to find innovative solutions toward a sustainable future and I’m proud to be here to help celebrate the opening of the plant.”
Deputy Prime Minister of Hessen, Kaweh Mansoori, officially opened the plant alongside Vulcan’s two founders, Dr Francis Wedin and Dr Horst Kreuter, MD & CEO Cris Moreno and the Lord Mayor of Hessen Mike Josef. Although unable to attend on the day, the Prime Minister of Hessen, Boris Rhein stated: “Whether it’s a smartphone or an electric car – nothing works without lithium.”
“Germany and Europe must reduce their dependence on Chinese lithium sources and ensure a secure supply of battery raw materials. Vulcan’s optimisation plant will make a decisive contribution to this. It is an outstanding innovation for true sustainability. It makes us more independent from global supply chains and is a strong signal for the future viability of our economy. “
CLEOP will be used to optimise operating processes, carry out product quality tests and train Vulcan’s operating personnel in preparation for the start of commercial production. During Phase One Project Lionheart, Vulcan will produce around 24,000 tonnes of sustainable lithium annually, which is enough to produce around 500,000 EVs.
The Company’s Phase One upstream and downstream plants will exclude fossil fuels in both the extraction and processing of lithium, meaning the process has the lowest carbon footprint of any lithium production globally. The operations have been assigned Dark Green by S&P Global Ratings, the highest ever received by a Metals and Mining company globally. S&P Global Ratings’ methodology includes six shades, with a Dark Green rating awarded to activities that correspond to the long-term vision of a low-carbon climate-resilient future.