Vulcan Energy Achieves First Battery-Quality Lithium Hydroxide Production in Europe

Key Highlights

  1. First Fully Integrated European Production:
    • Vulcan Energy Resources (ASX: VUL) has successfully produced battery-quality Lithium Hydroxide Monohydrate (LHM) at its Central Lithium Electrolysis Optimisation Plant (CLEOP) in Frankfurt, Germany.
    • This marks the first fully integrated production of battery-grade lithium in Europe, from raw material extraction to final product.
  2. Integrated Supply Chain:
    • The lithium chloride concentrate used in this production was sourced from Vulcan’s Direct Lithium Extraction (A-DLE) Optimisation Plant (LEOP) in Landau.
    • The fully domestic process enhances Europe’s raw material independence while supporting the transition to green mobility.
  3. Sustainability & Efficiency:
    • Vulcan’s production process uses electricity instead of fossil fuels and relies on deep, naturally heated brine reservoirs for lithium extraction.
    • This results in one of the world’s most sustainable and scalable lithium supply chains.
  4. Proximity to End-Users:
    • Located in Central Europe, Vulcan’s operations are strategically close to major automotive and battery customers, reducing logistics costs and carbon footprints.
  5. Commercial Impact:
    • LHM from CLEOP will undergo qualification processes with key European customers, including Stellantis, Renault, LG, and Umicore.
    • Vulcan’s Phase One “Lionheart” Project aims to produce 24,000 tonnes of LHM annually, sufficient for approximately 500,000 EVs per year.

Managing Director’s Statement

Cris Moreno, Managing Director and CEO, said:
“This milestone demonstrates Vulcan’s capability to establish a fully domestic and integrated supply chain for battery-grade LHM in Europe. The team’s rapid progress from November’s start of operations to producing pure LHM underscores our leadership as Europe’s most advanced integrated lithium and renewable energy project.”

Investor Outlook

Vulcan Energy’s success in producing battery-quality LHM highlights the company’s pioneering role in sustainable lithium production. The achievement strengthens its strategic position as a key supplier for Europe’s growing EV and battery industries.

With construction of the commercial Phase One plant underway, Vulcan is poised to become a major player in the global lithium market while setting new benchmarks for sustainability and cost efficiency.