Vulcan Energy has published the pre-feasibility study for Project Ludwig, its planned second combined lithium and geothermal project in the Upper Rhine Valley near Ludwigshafen. The study expands on the company’s first project, Lionheart, and outlines a development approach intended to improve capital efficiency while increasing product flexibility through the addition of lithium carbonate production.
The Ludwig project is designed to use the same integrated concept as Lionheart, combining lithium extraction with geothermal heat production. Brine will be transported to a central processing facility, where Vulcan’s proprietary direct lithium extraction technology, VULSORB®, will be used to produce lithium chloride. That material would then be processed at the same site using established industrial technology to produce battery-grade lithium carbonate.
Vulcan is targeting annual production of 21,100 tonnes of lithium carbonate from Project Ludwig. Together with the planned 24,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide monohydrate from Lionheart, the company says its two projects could supply enough lithium for the production of one million electric vehicles per year. The broader product mix is intended to give the company greater flexibility in serving battery manufacturers. The geothermal brine’s heat content would also be used to supply regional customers and support the company’s own process energy needs, with annual renewable heat generation estimated at up to 3,125 GWh.
The company said capital expenditure for Project Ludwig is estimated at 1.26 billion euros, about 15% lower than the estimate for Lionheart. Vulcan attributed the reduction to lessons learned from the first project, a more advanced stage of development, and a simplified concept that integrates lithium extraction and processing at one location. Estimated lithium production costs are about 4,101 euros per tonne of LCE, which Vulcan said is comparable to Lionheart and places both projects in the lowest quartile of the global cost curve.
Vulcan plans to develop new projects in the Upper Rhine Valley every two to three years, with final investment decisions expected to align with the start of production at the preceding project. Next steps for Ludwig include 3D seismic work, exploration drilling, further technical development, and preparation for an investment decision. Source: Vulcan Energy
