Rock Tech Lithium’s lithium hydroxide converter in Guben, Germany, has been named a Strategic Project under the EU Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA). The facility will produce 24,000 tonnes of battery-grade lithium hydroxide annually and is expected to support the production of over 500,000 electric vehicles per year. This designation highlights the project’s importance in strengthening Europe’s battery materials supply chain.
The CRMA, enacted in May 2024, aims to reduce the EU’s reliance on non-European suppliers by prioritizing domestic extraction, processing, and refining of 17 critical raw materials essential for the energy transition. The European Commission has allocated €2 billion to support selected projects through loans, guarantees, and direct financing. Rock Tech’s Guben Converter was one of over 170 applications submitted and selected in this highly competitive process.
Rock Tech has partnered with GEA Group AG to procure key equipment for the Guben facility. GEA will supply crystallization and zero-liquid discharge systems to ensure high standards in lithium hydroxide production. This partnership follows two and a half years of technical testing and negotiations, marking a significant step toward establishing an automated lithium refining operation in Europe.
The Guben Converter is part of Rock Tech’s broader strategy to create a closed-loop lithium production system. The company plans to source raw materials from its Georgia Lake spodumene project in Canada while adhering to strict environmental and social governance standards. By integrating sustainable practices into its operations, Rock Tech aims to become a key enabler of Europe’s green industrial future.
