German-Canadian lithium producer Rock Tech Lithium has appointed Mirco Wojnarowicz as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately, as the company enters a critical phase in its efforts to build a sustainable battery materials supply chain across Europe and North America.
Wojnarowicz succeeds Dirk Harbecke, who had served as interim CEO since 2022. Harbecke will remain Chairman of the Board of Directors and continue to guide the company’s strategic direction as its largest shareholder.
“We are delighted that Mirco has accepted our offer to become CEO,” Harbecke said in a statement. “He is an exceptional individual who has already delivered key milestones as VP Business Development over the past three years. Mirco is going to be an exceptional CEO and will lead the company into its next phase of growth as a key player in the European and North American battery materials supply chain.”
Rock Tech also named Christopher Wright as Chief Financial Officer, bringing additional expertise in mining and finance. Kerstin Wedemann will continue in her role as Chief Legal & Corporate Officer.
“I am honoured to take on the role of CEO at such an exciting and pivotal time in Rock Tech’s journey,” Wojnarowicz said. “We have a clear mission, a strong team, and a strategy focused on execution to deliver high-quality lithium products and build fully functional, local battery supply chains.”
Rock Tech is targeting the supply of sustainable, locally sourced lithium to the electric vehicle and battery industries, with the goal of achieving a 100 per cent recycling rate. The company’s flagship lithium hydroxide converter in Guben, Brandenburg, is expected to produce 24,000 tonnes annually—enough to power around 500,000 electric vehicles. Mercedes-Benz has already secured 10,000 tonnes per year from the site.
The Guben project is supported with up to €100 million in funding from the state of Brandenburg, although a separate federal subsidy was cancelled. A second converter is planned in Red Rock, Ontario, as Rock Tech expands its presence in North America.
By 2030, Rock Tech aims to source approximately 50 per cent of its raw materials through battery recycling.