Rock Tech Lithium Inc. announced that its planned lithium converter project in Guben, Germany, has been granted Strategic Project status under the European Union’s Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA). This designation highlights the crucial role of Rock Tech’s Guben Converter in bolstering Europe’s battery materials supply chain and accelerates the company’s objective of providing the continent with sustainably and locally produced lithium.

The Guben Converter is projected to produce 24,000 tonnes of battery-grade lithium hydroxide annually, an amount sufficient to power more than 500,000 electric vehicles.

The CRMA, which was implemented in May 2024, serves as a foundational initiative aimed at ensuring a resilient and sustainable supply of 17 critical raw materials deemed essential for Europe’s ongoing energy transition. The act seeks to enhance the EU’s capabilities in the extraction, processing, and refining of these strategic raw materials, thereby reducing its reliance on imports from third countries while maintaining stringent environmental and social standards.

Rock Tech Lithium expressed its pride in the Guben Converter’s selection for this designation, noting that over 170 applications were submitted to the European Commission in a highly competitive process. The European Commission has announced an initial allocation of 2 billion EUR to support selected Strategic Projects through various financial instruments, including loans, financing, and guarantees.

Dirk Harbecke, CEO and Chairman of Rock Tech Lithium, emphasized the significance of this milestone. “This milestone not only affirms the strategic value of our Guben project but also positions us as a key enabler of Europe’s green industrial future,” Harbecke said in a statement. “We are honored to be recognized as a Strategic Project by the European Commission and remain fully committed to advancing a secure, sustainable, and independent lithium supply for Europe.”

The Strategic Project status under the CRMA is expected to provide Rock Tech Lithium with several benefits, potentially including streamlined permitting processes, enhanced access to financing and investment opportunities, and increased visibility and support from European Union authorities. This recognition underscores the European Commission’s commitment to securing a domestic supply of critical raw materials like lithium, which is vital for the production of batteries used in electric vehicles and energy storage systems.

Rock Tech Lithium’s Guben Converter aims to play a pivotal role in reducing Europe’s dependence on imported lithium and establishing a more resilient and sustainable battery materials supply chain within the region. The project aligns with the EU’s broader goals of achieving climate neutrality and fostering a green industrial transition. The anticipated annual production capacity of the Guben Converter represents a significant step towards meeting the growing demand for battery-grade lithium hydroxide as electric vehicle adoption continues to accelerate across Europe.

The designation of the Guben Converter as a Strategic Project by the European Commission marks a significant achievement for Rock Tech Lithium and reinforces the strategic importance of its project in the context of Europe’s critical raw materials strategy.