Vulcan Energy Resources has started commissioning of its lithium extraction optimisation plant (LEOP) in Landau at Upper Rhine Valley in Germany.
The plant will extract, purify and increase the concentration of lithium chloride from brine.
The start of the plant will enable the domestic supply independence of lithium, a critical raw material that is used in the production of electric vehicle (EV) batteries.
Vulcan stated that the commissioning phase will continue until October, which is also when the first brine will be introduced into the plant to begin the lithium extraction process.
Construction on the project began last year and was designed for optimisation, operational training and product qualification facility to provide commercial readiness by the end of 2025.
The initial phase of commercial operations at the plant aims to have a production of 24,000tpa of lithium hydroxide production.
For lithium extraction from brine, Vulcan will use adsorption-type direct lithium extraction (A-DLE).
The method can be deployed for low operating costs, more time efficiency and reduced carbon footprint for producing lithium. It will be powered using renewable heat instead of gas.