German Chancellor Olaf Scholz recently visited Vulcan Energy Resources’ Lithium Extraction Optimization Plant (LEOP) and the adjacent geothermal power facility in Landau, Germany. Accompanied by Rhineland-Palatinate’s Prime Minister Alexander Schweitzer, Scholz emphasized the government’s commitment to advancing the green energy transition and securing a sustainable domestic supply of raw materials.
Vulcan’s integrated operations utilize naturally heated geothermal brine to extract lithium chloride (LiCl) while simultaneously generating renewable geothermal energy for local communities and industries. Operational since April 2024, the LEOP is notable for producing Europe’s first fully sustainable LiCl. This high-purity LiCl is further processed into battery-quality lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LHM) at Vulcan’s Central Lithium Electrolysis Optimization Plant (CLEOP) in Frankfurt.
During the visit, Chancellor Scholz highlighted the importance of establishing a secure domestic lithium value chain within Germany and Europe. He reaffirmed the government’s support for expanding geothermal energy projects, with a goal of initiating 100 new geothermal initiatives by 2030. “In Europe, but especially in Germany, we have the foundations to be able to produce this raw material supply ourselves,” Scholz stated. “We have a great deal of untapped potential for a sustainable heat supply, such as deep geothermal energy, which could supply both households and industry with renewable energy.”
Vulcan’s Phase One “Lionheart” project aims to produce approximately 24,000 metric tons of LHM annually, enough to supply around 500,000 electric vehicles each year. Remarkably, the production process operates without the use of fossil fuels, establishing one of the world’s most sustainable, cost-effective, and scalable lithium supply chains. This initiative is expected to play a significant role in securing Germany’s raw material independence and supporting the country’s transition to green energy and mobility.
Cris Moreno, Managing Director and CEO of Vulcan, commented on the Chancellor’s visit: “Vulcan’s mission is to deliver domestic and sustainable lithium to support Europe’s green energy and mobility transition. The Chancellor’s visit reaffirms the importance of our Lionheart Project as the most advanced integrated lithium and renewable energy project in Europe and gives us additional confidence that our work aligns with key policy priorities.”
Source: Vulcan Energy Resources