Vulcan Energy has started major construction at its Lionheart lithium hydroxide plant in Germany, advancing a 24,000 tonnes per year battery-grade LiOH project that could strengthen Europe’s domestic battery materials supply chain from 2028.
Lionheart Lithium Hydroxide Project Moves Into Major Construction
The Australian-listed company said construction work is now underway at Lionheart in the German state of Hesse. The milestone follows Vulcan’s March announcement that it had received a six-year commercial production licence for the lithium hydroxide facility.
The project is designed to produce battery-quality lithium hydroxide, a key cathode material for electric vehicle batteries. Vulcan is targeting first output in 2028, positioning the project as part of Europe’s broader strategy to reduce dependence on imported battery materials.
Geothermal Brines and Direct Lithium Extraction
Vulcan plans to produce lithium from low-impurity geothermal sub-surface brines using its direct lithium extraction technology. This approach is central to the company’s strategy because it links lithium production with geothermal energy resources in Germany’s Upper Rhine Valley.
Construction of the surface extraction plant at Landau began in February. That facility will support Vulcan’s integrated lithium production chain, converting geothermal brine resources into feedstock for battery-grade lithium chemicals.
German Funding Supports Domestic Battery Supply
The Lionheart project received about €104 million, or roughly $121.5 million, in public funding last year from Germany’s federal government and the states of Rhineland-Palatinate and Hesse.
The funding reflects the strategic importance of domestic lithium supply for Germany’s automotive and battery industries. As European automakers localize battery supply chains, projects such as Lionheart may become increasingly important for reducing exposure to imported lithium chemicals from Asia and other producing regions.
SuperMetalPrice Commentary
Vulcan’s German LiOH project matters because Europe needs more local battery materials capacity, not just battery cell factories. If Lionheart reaches commercial output in 2028, it could become one of Europe’s more strategically important lithium hydroxide supply assets, especially for automakers seeking lower-carbon and regionally sourced battery inputs.
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