Arverne Group Begins Construction of Geothermal Lithium Demonstration Plant in Alsace

French industrial firm Arverne Group has commenced construction of a Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) demonstration plant in the Bas-Rhin region of Alsace, advancing efforts to produce battery-grade lithium from geothermal brines. The facility represents a significant milestone in the company’s strategy to integrate geothermal energy and lithium production in the Rhine basin.

Supported by public funding through France 2030 and the EU’s France Relance plan, the project builds on pilot work conducted by Lithium de France and Equinor in Norway. The demonstration plant will test the efficiency, selectivity, and environmental performance of Arverne’s DLE technology under real conditions.

Located on the site of a planned geothermal doublet, the plant is part of a broader initiative to reach an annual capacity of 4 TWh of geothermal heat and 27,000 tonnes of lithium by 2031. Arverne collaborated with engineering firm DG SKID to design the facility, following preparatory studies and pre-orders launched in 2024.

Pending final drilling authorizations, work on the doublet is scheduled to begin in the coming months.