Rock Tech Lithium plans to use its lithium converter project in Guben as a model for a similar facility in Red Rock, developed in cooperation with Siemens.
The two companies have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding to establish a strategic partnership aimed at developing lithium conversion capacity using Siemens’ digitalisation technologies. Central to the collaboration is the use of Digital Twin technology, which will digitally replicate and optimise the design and operations of the planned plants.
The lithium converter currently under construction in Guben is designed to produce 24,000 tonnes of battery-grade lithium hydroxide annually. According to Rock Tech Lithium, the output would correspond to roughly 30 GWh of battery capacity, enough for around 500,000 electric vehicles per year. Production at the German facility is scheduled to begin in 2027.
Under the partnership, a digital twin of the Guben plant will be created based on its construction plans and operational processes. This virtual model will then be applied to the planned converter in Red Rock, allowing the design and manufacturing processes to be simulated and optimised before physical construction and operation.
Digital twin technology provides a detailed virtual representation of a physical facility and can be used to simulate construction, monitor operations and support scaling across multiple sites. Similar approaches are already used in the automotive sector, including by BMW as part of its iFactory production strategy.
The planned converter in Red Rock is expected to produce 32,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) annually. Rock Tech Lithium estimates that this output would be sufficient to supply lithium for the batteries of up to 900,000 electric vehicles per year.
“Red Rock will be Ontario’s first lithium conversion facility and is a key project in Canada’s efforts to rapidly establish domestic critical minerals processing capacity,” said Mirco Wojnarowicz. “Together with our Georgia Lake mining project, we are creating a fully vertically integrated supply chain from rock to battery-grade lithium.”
The project is also positioned within broader international efforts to strengthen supply chains for critical raw materials. Stefan Rouenhoff said the partnership reflects growing cooperation between Germany and Canada on strategic mineral resources.
“The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy strongly welcomes the deepening of business relations between Rock Tech Lithium and Siemens Canada,” Rouenhoff said, adding that secure supply chains for critical raw materials have become increasingly important.