Vulcan Begins Commercial Production of Lithium Extraction Material
Vulcan Energy has started commercial-scale production of its proprietary VULSORB lithium extraction material, a key component for the company's direct lithium extraction (A-DLE) process. This development is part of preparations for the Lionheart project in Germany and France, which aims to produce up to 24,000 metric tons annually of battery-grade lithium hydroxide monohydrate by its projected commissioning date in late 2028. The VULSORB material has undergone extensive testing with reported extraction rates as high as 95%. Vulcan is manufacturing the product through European partners and plans to continue production for the next 18–24 months. The move aligns with Western efforts to reduce reliance on Chinese supply chains, particularly after China tightened export controls in early 2025. Lionheart will also generate renewable energy—approximately 275 GWh of electricity and 560 GWh of heat annually—and is expected to support the production for batteries used in around half a million electric vehicles per year. Vulcan plans to expand VULSORB use beyond Lionheart, including licensing it through its VULTEC business.
Topics: Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) Geothermal Energy Integration Lithium Extraction Supply Chain Strategy