Vulcan Energy Resources Limited, a leading European lithium developer, today announced the commencement of commissioning activities at its fully-owned CLEOP1 Lithium Hydroxide optimisation plant. This marks a significant achievement as the company advances towards producing battery-grade lithium hydroxide sourced exclusively from European reserves, a first-of-its-kind endeavor for the region.

Vulcan’s downstream CLEOP facility, situated near Frankfurt within the Höchst Chemical Park, is advancing towards full operational readiness alongside the development of its commercial Central Lithium Plant (CLP). The recent completion of the main building and utility systems marks a significant milestone, allowing for the first energizations to occur. Power has been successfully supplied to the plant via the main switchboard, a crucial step for initiating the electrolysis process. Looking ahead, the upcoming milestones include the commencement of lithium hydroxide production and the first output of battery-grade lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LHM), essential for supporting the growing demand in the battery industry.

Once operational, the CLEOP facility will convert Lithium Chloride (LiCl) from Vulcan's upstream Lithium Extraction Optimisation Plant (LEOP) into battery-grade lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LHM), marking the first instance of fully domestically produced LHM in Europe, from raw materials to final product. Both LEOP and CLEOP will play crucial roles as process optimization and training facilities, laying the groundwork for Vulcan’s upcoming commercial operations. This integrated approach will ensure efficiency and expertise as the company scales up its production to meet the growing demand for high-quality battery materials in Europe.

Cris Moreno, Managing Director and CEO of Vulcan, emphasized the importance of the commissioning of Vulcan's downstream lithium optimization facility, marking a key milestone in advancing Europe’s independence in critical raw materials and its electric vehicle supply chain. In the coming months, Vulcan will begin transporting the first lithium chloride (LiCl) parcels from their upstream facility to CLEOP, where they will produce Europe’s first battery-grade lithium hydroxide. Moreno expressed anticipation for welcoming senior German and EU government officials to the official opening of this facility, which will play a crucial role in the German and European battery industries.

CLEOP serves as Vulcan's pre-commercial downstream optimization plant, where Lithium Chloride (LiCl) solution from the company's wholly-owned upstream operations will be converted into battery-grade lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LHM). This facility will be instrumental in training personnel and refining processes in a pre-commercial environment before the construction of the commercial Central Lithium Plant (CLP). Additionally, LHM production at CLEOP is expected to significantly advance product qualification for offtake partners, minimizing potential delays and accelerating the product's entry into the market once commercial production begins. This strategic approach ensures a smoother transition to full-scale operations.