Rock Tech Lithium has announced the formation of a new company, NewCo, in partnership with Swiss mining firm Arcore. The joint venture will oversee Rock Tech’s planned lithium refinery in Brandenburg, Germany, as part of a broader strategy to establish a fully integrated European supply chain from raw material extraction to battery-grade lithium production.
NewCo will manage both Rock Tech’s refinery project in Guben, Germany, and Arcore’s lithium mining operation in Lopare, Bosnia-Herzegovina. A binding agreement for the venture was signed this week, under which the two companies will merge their subsidiaries. Rock Tech plans to contribute its wholly-owned subsidiary, Rock Tech Guben GmbH, and will hold a 75% stake in the new entity once the transaction is finalized in the second quarter of the year. Arcore, in turn, will transfer its Bosnia-based subsidiary, AR CORE d.o.o, acquiring the remaining 25% of NewCo.
See also: Rock Tech Lithium Secures 100 Million Euros from Brandenburg State for Guben Lithium Refinery
The Guben lithium converter, though not yet constructed, has already received full regulatory approval. In mid-2024, Rock Tech secured state funding commitments of up to €100 million for the facility, following an earlier cancellation of financial support from the German government. Meanwhile, Arcore’s Lopare mining project is expected to supply lithium precursors to the Guben plant starting in 2030, supplementing spodumene deliveries from existing contractual partners. The Brandenburg refinery aims to produce battery-grade lithium sufficient to power up to 500,000 electric vehicles annually.
“The project is currently in its final financing phase, with all relevant construction, environmental, and operational permits and engineering studies completed,” Rock Tech stated.
See also: Rock Tech Lithium Receives Final Approval for Lithium Hydroxide Converter in Guben
Rock Tech CEO and Chairman Dirk Harbecke emphasized the strategic importance of the initiative, stating, “Strong European supply chains are essential to secure the region’s strategic autonomy, promote industrial competitiveness, and enable the transformation to a climate-neutral economy. Europe is currently heavily dependent on imports of critical raw materials such as lithium. This is an important step for Rock Tech to become the European leader in battery raw materials supply.”
With this joint venture, Rock Tech and Arcore aim to reinforce Europe’s lithium processing capabilities and reduce reliance on overseas imports, positioning themselves as key players in the continent’s transition to electric mobility.
See also: Rock Tech Lithium Denied Federal Funding, Seeks State Support for Lithium Converter Project in Guben