Vulcan Energy Resources has announced a major contract worth approximately €140 million awarded to Australian company JordProxa to supply advanced technology and equipment for the Phase One Lionheart Project in Landau, Germany, which aims to produce lithium hydroxide for electric vehicle batteries.

This partnership marks a significant step towards establishing Europe's first fully domestic and sustainable lithium supply chain, reducing reliance on imports and supporting the continent's battery manufacturing sector.

JordProxa will provide integrated solutions, including water treatment, crystallization, and evaporation systems, utilizing its expertise in environmentally friendly extraction methods like Adsorption-type Direct Lithium Extraction (A-DLE), which offers high purity outputs with minimal environmental impact.

The contract includes the design, fabrication, and delivery of core process units for lithium extraction at the Lithium Extraction Plant in Landau and final conversion at the Central Lithium Plant in Frankfurt, following a prior Memorandum of Understanding from May 2024.

The project aims to produce 24,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide monohydrate annually—enough for approximately 500,000 electric vehicles—and will incorporate renewable energy with a capacity of 275 GWh.

Vulcan's CEO, Cris Moreno, highlighted the partnership's focus on sustainability and Europe's goal to develop its first fully domestic lithium supply chain, emphasizing the importance of innovative, environmentally friendly extraction technologies.

The infrastructure involves two facilities: the LEP in Landau for initial lithium processing and the CLP in Frankfurt for final conversion, optimizing logistics and industrial infrastructure access.

JordProxa, led by Managing Director Paul Browne, will also provide on-site technical assistance, including advice on technical specifications, installation, and commissioning, with performance guarantees and bonds included to mitigate risks.

The project is critical for finalizing project financing, which Vulcan aims to complete by the end of 2025, with early phases involving partnership development and engineering planning.

This strategic collaboration exemplifies how international technology transfer and integrated project development can foster innovation, create a competitive advantage, and position Europe as a leader in sustainable lithium processing.

The Lionheart Project's broader goal is to support Europe's transition to electric mobility by providing a secure, high-quality, domestically produced lithium supply aligned with European environmental standards.