Vulcan has started commissioning the lithium hydroxide optimization plant (CLEOP) at Industriepark Höchst in Frankfurt. The CLEOP will convert lithium chloride from the company’s lithium extraction optimization plant (LEOP) in Landau into battery-ready lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LHM). The start of commissioning marks the completion of the main building and the supply systems so that the first switch-ons can take place. The plant has now been supplied with electricity for the first time – a decisive step for the electrolysis plant. Vulcan’s CLEOP plays an important role in Europe’s path to a sustainable and resilient future: it will produce the first battery-ready LHM derived from a European lithium resource.

Both LEOP and CLEOP are optimization plants and precursors to the planned commercial plants. They will be used to optimize operations, conduct product quality tests and train operating personnel for commercial production. Vulcan’s Commercial Central Lithium Plant (CLP) will produce 24,000 tons of LHM per year and will also be built at Industriepark Höchst. The company expects that the production of LHM in the CLEOP will enable significant progress in the product qualification required by the offtake partners. This will reduce the risk of delays and accelerate the product’s market launch once commercial production has begun.

The start of commissioning will be followed by the start of production of the first lithium hydroxide and subsequently the first production of battery-grade LHM – the first LHM to be produced entirely in Europe, from raw material to end product.

“The start of commissioning of our lithium hydroxide optimization plant is a significant milestone – not only for Europe’s independence from critical raw materials, but also for the independence of the supply chain for battery-powered electric vehicles. Overall, this is a major and important signal for the German and European automotive industry. In the coming months, we will start transporting LEOP’s lithium chloride to CLEOP to produce the first battery-ready lithium extracted from a European lithium resource. We are already looking forward to welcoming high-ranking ministers from Germany and the EU as well as important personalities to the official opening of this plant,” said Vulcan’s Managing Director and CEO, Cris Moreno.

(photo credit Jens Braune del Angel)