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Rock Tech breaks ground for its lithium conversion plant in Germany

Rock Tech Lithium – securing critical minerals with its first European lithium hydroxide conversion plant in Guben, Germany. It will start operation in 2025. (CNW Group/Rock Tech Lithium Inc.)

GUBEN — Canadian company, Rock Tech Lithium Inc., broke ground for its first lithium hydroxide conversion plant in Guben, Germany (Guben Converter). The facility will be a blueprint for the EU’s goals to secure 12 times the demand of lithium by 2030 and at the same time to process 40 per cent of it regionally.

“Rock Tech’s lithium plant in Guben will considerably strengthen Brandenburg’s position as the centre of electromobility and energy transition in Germany. Brandenburg will thus be able to cover the entire value chain from raw material processing to battery and cell production to EV construction and battery recycling,” said Prof. Dr. Jörg Steinbach, State Minister for Economic Affairs.

Rock Tech’s refining plant will, in one facility, process lithium-bearing hard rock into battery-grade lithium hydroxide for the cathode and battery industry. This is a significant accelerator for the EV mobility transition and fundamental building block for automakers in the region.

“For Mercedes-Benz, the shift towards electric mobility also means a change in our supply chains. Three goals are central to us: sustainability, raw material security and localization of procurement. Today’s groundbreaking in Guben is therefore another milestone for Mercedes-Benz towards the sustainable production of state-of-the-art batteries. When it comes to our lithium supply here in Europe, Rock Tech will play a key role for Mercedes-Benz in the future,” said Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG. Chief Technology Officer, Development & Procurement.

The groundbreaking marked the official start of onsite works on the 125,750 square metres future lithium hydroxide converter.