Updated:
—
The Canadian raw materials company Rock Tech Lithium is planning a plant in Guben (Spree-Neisse district) for the production of battery-compatible lithium hydroxide for electric cars. Around 470 million euros are to be invested, the company announced on Monday. The start of production is planned for 2024.
Guben – The investment decision for all production steps still depends, among other things, on discussions about funding that has already been applied for or further funding, it said. If the entire system was in operation, around 160 people would be employed. Around 24,000 tons of lithium hydroxide are to be produced each year: the need for around 500,000 electric vehicles.
“Our goal is to be the first company in the world to create a closed cycle for lithium,” said CEO Dirk Harbecke. Guben appears to be the ideal location. Funding opportunities also played a key role. By 2030, around 50 percent of the raw materials used are to be obtained from the recycling of old batteries.
Basic materials for lithium-ion batteries are a key to the success of electromobility, said Minister of Economics Jörg Steinbach. In future, Brandenburg will be home to the entire value chain, from raw material processing to battery and cell production to the manufacture of electric cars and battery recycling. For Lusatia this would result in concrete opportunities for new value creation and future-proof jobs.