#Germany #Guben #Rock Tech #Lithium Refining #EIT RawMaterials

Rock Tech Secures European Funding

In a significant advancement for lithium processing innovation, Rock Tech Lithium Inc. has been awarded financial support by EIT RawMaterials, a prominent entity backed by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology. This funding is pivotal for the company's ongoing efforts to commercialize its cutting-edge lithium processing technologies in Germany.

The company’s collaborative push involves esteemed research institutions like Advanced Minerals and Recycling Industrial Solutions (AdMiRIS), the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), and the Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO). The project has garnered a total funding allocation of 2.5 million euros, of which Rock Tech is set to receive up to 1 million euros aimed at enhancing and innovating its lithium conversion processes.

This funding milestone marks an important step forward, especially following the recognition of Rock Tech's Lithium Hydroxide Converter Guben (LHCG) project as a strategic project under the European Commission's Critical Raw Materials initiative. As part of this recognition, Rock Tech will acquire 800,000 euros to further innovate its lithium conversion processes at their Guben Converter, reinforcing its commitment to optimizing lithium extraction.

Project Overview

Under the auspices of the KAVA grant program, Rock Tech Guben GmbH will collaborate with top-tier research and industry entities to optimize lithium extraction strategies and enhance the production of lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LHM) from spodumene. The company anticipates that these optimization efforts will yield substantial operational and cost efficiencies for the Guben Converter in the long term.

“We are privileged to be selected for the KAVA Call funding and to partner with these leading entities on groundbreaking lithium processing technologies,” remarked Mirco Wojnarowicz, CEO of Rock Tech. This funding supports Rock Tech's commitment to sustainable practices and ambitious innovation goals in the competitive lithium sector.

Objectives of the OLiVer Project

The initiative, dubbed OLiVer (Hard rock Lithium Extraction and Purified Value Products for Energy Applications), aims to conduct pilot-scale demonstrations that will not only improve lithium recovery rates but also align with the European Union's green transition objectives. The project focuses on four key goals:
1. Optimizing pyro-hydro-metallurgical processing to enhance lithium extraction efficiency.
2. Developing a new secondary lithium sulfate recovery process to boost lithium recovery rates.
3. Integrating primary and secondary lithium sulfate streams to increase total LHM production yields.
4. Conducting pilot-scale demonstrations to validate the commercial viability of enhanced lithium extraction processes.

Rock Tech’s strategic initiatives are clearly aligned with the EU’s critical raw materials strategy, committed to sustainability and responsible sourcing, especially considering the growing demand for high-purity lithium hydroxide in the electric vehicle battery market.

About Rock Tech

Rock Tech is dedicated to supplying the electric vehicle and battery industries with locally produced lithium, targeting a 100% recycling rate in their operations. The company plans to establish lithium converters in close proximity to its customer base, starting with the proposed Lithium Hydroxide Converter in Guben, Germany, followed by another facility in Red Rock, Ontario, Canada. Sourcing raw materials from their own Georgia Lake spodumene project and other environmentally responsible mines, Rock Tech aims to create a closed-loop lithium production system.

With one of the strongest teams in the clean mobility arena, Rock Tech is addressing the crucial gaps in sustainable energy solutions and is committed to strict environmental, social, and governance standards to enhance efficiency and sustainability throughout its refining processes.

Conclusion

Rock Tech’s participation in this funding initiative not only technology-driven growth but also serves as a pivotal contribution to the electric vehicle battery supply chain in Europe. The company’s vision and commitment to innovation and sustainability signify its readiness to lead the charge in lithium processing technology, aligning closely with global efforts toward cleaner energy solutions.