Vulcan Energy (ASX: VUL) just notched a big win in Europe. Its flagship Lionheart Project has been officially recognised as a Strategic Project under the European Union’s Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) — a move that could help fast-track funding and development as Europe scrambles to secure sustainable raw materials for its green transition.
This coveted designation was awarded to only a select few out of 170 applicants and signals that Vulcan’s integrated lithium and renewable energy project is seen as vital to Europe’s future supply chain security. The CRMA, which came into force in May 2024, aims to boost domestic supply of critical materials like lithium, while reducing the EU’s reliance on imports from third countries.
What does Strategic Project status mean for Vulcan? It unlocks access to streamlined regulatory and financial pathways, including direct engagement with the CRMA financing subgroup — a board set up to advise on funding options from both private and public sources. Vulcan may also benefit from support via the European Development Fund and Cohesion Fund.
This milestone is a strong endorsement of Vulcan’s approach: lithium produced with geothermal renewable energy, processed on-site, and delivered directly to the European battery supply chain. It’s all part of Vulcan’s mission to build a fully domestic, sustainable lithium value chain — “from Europe, for Europe.”
CEO Cris Moreno summed it up well:
“Achieving Strategic Project status from the European Commission validates the importance of our integrated lithium and renewable energy project to European industry… and builds momentum for the delivery of Europe’s first fully domestic and sustainable lithium value chain.”
Located in the Upper Rhine Valley on the German-French border, the Lionheart Project is home to Europe’s largest lithium resource. It’s also among the most advanced in terms of sustainability, using Vulcan’s proprietary VULSORB® technology and powered by natural geothermal heat to extract and process lithium with net-zero emissions.
With EU backing and a clear runway ahead, Vulcan is looking more and more like a linchpin in Europe’s clean energy future.
