Vulcan begins Frankfurt lithium plant with NESI tech

Vulcan Energy has begun construction of its Central Lithium Plant in Frankfurt, where it will use refining technology from Canadian company NESI.

Part of Vulcan's Lionheart Project, the plant is designed to convert lithium chloride into battery-grade lithium hydroxide monohydrate for electric vehicle batteries. Planned annual output is 24,000 tonnes, enough for about 500,000 electric vehicle batteries a year.

Located at Infraserv Industrial Park Höchst in Frankfurt, the site will serve as the downstream processing facility for Vulcan's broader lithium and renewable energy business. The company is developing the project around lithium extraction from geothermal brines, with the Frankfurt refinery carrying out the conversion stage.

The start of construction marks a commercial deployment of NESI's electrochemical refining system in Europe's battery materials supply chain. Its NORSCAND electrolysis technology will be used to produce lithium hydroxide for the project.

The development fits into a broader European push to build domestic supplies of battery raw materials and reduce reliance on imports. Carmakers and battery manufacturers in the region have faced growing pressure to secure local sources of critical minerals as governments push for lower-emission transport and more resilient industrial supply chains.

Senior political figures attended the groundbreaking ceremony, including Boris Rhein, Minister-President of the State of Hesse, and Mike Josef, Lord Mayor of Frankfurt am Main. Their presence underscored the political and industrial importance attached to domestic lithium processing in Germany.

Before construction began, Vulcan had already cleared a major financing hurdle. Major works at the central lithium chemicals plant follow a positive Final Investment Decision and a €2.2 billion funding package secured in December 2025.

Commercial production is targeted for the second half of 2028. Once operational, the refinery is expected to become a central part of Vulcan's effort to build an integrated European source of lithium chemicals for the electric vehicle market.

Strategic supply

For Europe, the project's significance lies not only in its output volumes but also in where the material will be refined. Much of the world's lithium processing capacity remains concentrated outside Europe, leaving carmakers exposed to geopolitical risk, trade disruption and price volatility.

Local refining has become a priority for policymakers seeking to anchor more of the battery value chain within the region. Germany, with its large automotive sector, has been especially focused on securing battery materials that can support electric vehicle production without relying entirely on imported refined products.

NESI's role also shows how Canadian technology companies are seeking a foothold in European industrial projects tied to electrification. The company specialises in industrial electrochemical processing for critical minerals and industrial chemicals, and has positioned its systems as a lower-emission alternative to more conventional refining methods.

"This groundbreaking is a major validation of NESI's role in scaling cleaner electrochemical infrastructure for battery materials," said Jeremy Moulson, President and Chief Executive Officer of NESI. "By integrating our NORSCAND technology into the Lionheart Project, we are helping advance a cleaner, electrified approach to lithium refining at commercial scale. This milestone strengthens the German-Canadian partnership and places NESI's technology at the centre of Europe's lithium and battery materials buildout."

For Vulcan, the Frankfurt refinery is a key step in linking raw lithium extraction with chemical conversion within one regional system. The company's strategy centres on combining geothermal energy resources with lithium production to establish a domestic source of battery-grade material for European customers.

Its chief executive described the start of construction as a milestone for both the company and the wider regional industry.

"Commencing construction on our Central Lithium Plant is a defining moment for Vulcan and the European battery value chain," said Cris Moreno, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Vulcan Energy. "Our collaboration with NESI ensures our operations achieve the high-purity, low-impact outputs necessary to deliver the world's first integrated sustainable lithium and renewable energy business. We are proud to work alongside partners who share our vision for a decarbonized future."

The Frankfurt project also comes as battery makers and automakers increasingly scrutinise the environmental profile of their raw materials supply. Projects that can demonstrate lower carbon intensity and regional traceability have attracted attention as manufacturers work to meet tighter regulatory and investor expectations.

NESI described the Lionheart development as a significant international commercial step for its electrochemical platform. The company operates in Canada and Europe and has sought to expand the use of its electrolysis systems beyond traditional chemical processing into battery materials and critical minerals refining.

With construction under way and financing in place, the Frankfurt plant is one of Europe's more closely watched lithium processing projects, with planned output equivalent to material for about 500,000 electric vehicle batteries a year.