How ABB is Powering Renewable Lithium Production

Vulcan Energy has appointed ABB as the main electrical contractor for Phase One of its Lionheart Project, a major renewable lithium facility based in the Upper Rhine Valley, Germany.

The development is positioned as one of Europe's first fully-integrated operations to combine lithium production with renewable energy generation.

Through a package of three contracts worth more than US$50m, ABB is tasked with delivering the entire electrical infrastructure. This includes powering Vulcan’s Lithium Extraction Plant in Landau, the Central Lithium Plant in Industriepark Höchst near Frankfurt and its surrounding well sites. ABB will manage the full electrical scope, from the high-voltage grid to building-level processes.

Björn Jonsson, Global Business Line Manager for Mining & Materials at ABB, says the partnership a model for combining energy and electrification.

“The Lionheart Project is a blueprint for how clean energy and advanced electrification go hand in hand,” he says. “We are building the foundations for a stronger European battery supply chain, helping to meet growing demand for electric vehicles at a crucial point in the transition to clean mobility.”

Supplying lithium for half a million EVs

The Lionheart Project aims to produce 24,000 tons of lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LHM) per year. This refined form of lithium is used in batteries and the projected output will be enough to power around 500,000 electric vehicles annually.

Vulcan’s approach combines lithium extraction with the generation of renewable energy, aiming to deliver 275 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity and 560 GWh of heat.

This dual output supports both industrial operations and contributes to broader clean energy goals.

The integrated nature of the facility means that Vulcan can supply lithium and renewable energy from a single project location, offering a more sustainable option for downstream manufacturers.

The company has already secured agreements to supply lithium from 2028 for 10 years to major companies including Stellantis, LG Corp, Umicore and Glencore. These offtake agreements are designed to support a stable supply of lithium for battery manufacturing across Europe.

Speaking to Reuters, Francis Wedin, Executive Chair of Vulcan Energy, said construction was now fully funded and set to begin immediately. He confirmed the project would take two-and-a-half years, with full-scale operations expected once commissioning is complete.

Multi-layered financing

Vulcan’s funding package totals US$2.56bn and combines equity, grants and debt. The equity component includes up to US$709m raised through institutional placements and entitlement offers at a fixed price of US$2.63 per new share.

This financing is backed by 13 financial institutions including the European Investment Bank, five export credit agencies and seven commercial banks. Vulcan has also received US$122m in German government grants as part of Berlin’s strategy to reduce reliance on imported raw materials and strengthen domestic electric vehicle production.

The partnership with ABB stems from a Memorandum of Understanding signed back in April 2024. It aims to streamline engineering, optimise supply chains and reduce project costs. Under the agreement, ABB’s electrification expertise supports Vulcan’s renewable lithium process.

Cris Moreno, Managing Director and CEO at Vulcan Energy, comments: "ABB’s expertise and systems give us the certainty to scale efficiently. Together, we are establishing a robust model for industrial lithium production to meet market momentum while enabling battery supply chain decarbonisation at scale.”

ABB technology to underpin clean energy goals

ABB’s scope covers high-, medium- and low-voltage electrical systems, including switchgear, transformers, protection equipment and uninterruptible power supplies. The goal is to ensure a stable and efficient flow of electricity from the 110 kilovolt (kV) grid through to every process within the facility.

By handling the design, engineering, manufacturing, testing and delivery, ABB ensures that every aspect of electrical performance aligns with both safety and sustainability standards. The company’s MNS low-voltage switchgear, already used across mining and industrial sites worldwide, is a central part of the infrastructure.

As Vulcan prepares for full-scale construction, ABB’s electrical systems will play a critical role in delivering power safely and reliably.

With lithium output backed by long-term contracts and supported by a network of institutional investors, the Lionheart Project is positioned to become a cornerstone in Europe’s transition to clean energy and sustainable mobility.