A major breakthrough in lithium production promises to transform the battery industry in Europe. The German company EnBW, in partnership with LevertonHELM, a subsidiary of HELM AG, has developed an innovative method to extract lithium from geothermal waters, offering a more environmentally friendly and sustainable solution compared to traditional methods.
EnBW has extracted a lithium chloride solution from the thermal waters of the Bruchsal geothermal plant in Baden-Württemberg. This solution was then sent to Basingstoke, UK, where
LevertonHELM refined it to obtain lithium carbonate with a purity higher than 99.5%. This high-quality product can be directly used in the manufacturing of battery cathode materials.
This success has motivated the two companies to extend their collaboration to develop sustainable production of lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide. They aim to exploit local resources to meet the growing demand for electric mobility and energy storage in Europe. Dr. Thomas Kölbel, an expert in research and development at
EnBW, emphasizes the importance of lithium in the energy transition and the expansion of renewable energies.
The ecological benefits of this method are considerable. Traditionally, lithium extraction, mainly carried out in South America, consumes massive amounts of water and affects local ecosystems. In contrast, the method by
EnBW and
LevertonHELM uses geothermal water, a renewable resource, thus reducing the environmental impact.
Bart Vanden Bossche, commercial director at
LevertonHELM, highlights the importance of developing European resources to reduce dependency on lithium imports. This initiative could establish local production of critical materials, thereby supporting the EU's energy transition.
Stephen Elgueta Wallis, vice president of energy materials at
HELM, sees this project as an opportunity to strengthen the European supply chain for lithium-ion batteries. Laura Herrmann, project manager for research and development at
EnBW, notes that the water extracted from the Bruchsal geothermal plant has a particularly high lithium content, offering a unique opportunity for local extraction.
Thus, the collaboration between
EnBW and
LevertonHELM could revolutionize lithium production in Europe, making the process cleaner and more sustainable. This development supports not only Europe's ecological goals but also its economic objectives, positioning the continent at the forefront of innovation in the battery industry.
Article author: Cédric DEPOND