Vulcan Opens Downstream Lithium Hydroxide Optimization Plant

Vulcan Energy officially launched its downstream Central Lithium Electrolysis Optimization Plant (CLEOP) today at a ceremony at the Hoechst Industrial Park in Frankfurt, Germany.

The plant is currently processing high-purity lithium chloride concentrate extracted from brine at the company’s upstream optimization plant in nearby Landau to produce lithium hydroxide.

The opening ceremony was attended by a number of local, national and international guests from politics and industry, including Hesse Deputy Prime Minister Kaweh Mansoori and Australian Ambassador to Germany Natasha Smith, who highlighted the significance of the event for Germany, Greater Europe and Australia.

“Today marks an important step for Vulcan towards its goal of establishing a domestic supply chain that supplies the European automotive industry with green lithium for the production of electric vehicle (EV) batteries,” said Cris Moreno, Managing Director and CEO of Vulcan Energy.

“This is a world-class plant that is now producing its first sustainable lithium hydroxide from raw materials to end product, which is essential for Europe’s transition away from its dependence on raw materials and towards zero-emission mobility.”

“Vulcan’s CLEOP is a great example of how Australia and Germany can work together to find innovative solutions for a sustainable future and I am proud to be here to celebrate the opening of the plant,” said Ambassador Smith.

"Whether it's smartphones or electric cars, nothing works without lithium," said Hesse Prime Minister Boris Rhein.

"Germany and Europe must reduce their dependence on Chinese lithium resources and ensure a secure supply of raw materials for batteries. Vulcan's optimized plant will make a decisive contribution to this. This is an outstanding innovation for truly sustainable development. It makes us more independent from the global supply chain and sends a strong signal for the future viability of our economy."