Rock Tech Lithium, the German-Canadian company, has been granted final approval by Brandenburg’s state government for its lithium hydroxide converter project in Guben. The approval was formally delivered to Rock Tech CEO Dirk Harbecke and Guben Mayor Fred Mahro by Brandenburg’s Environment Minister Axel Vogel and Economics Minister Jörg Steinbach.
The approval follows a recent setback for Rock Tech Lithium, as its funding application from the federal government’s battery cell ecosystem fund was unexpectedly cancelled. While there is no mention of state subsidies in the approval announcement, the company has expressed its intention to seek alternative support to complete the Guben project, particularly from the state of Brandenburg.
“We are pleased to have received the full permits to operate our Converter in Germany,” said Dirk Harbecke, CEO of Rock Tech Lithium. “We are also proud to be the first company in Europe to permit a full-scale Lithium Refinery without any appeals to the project. This is testament to the great work of our team, and I would like to thank the Brandenburg authorities for their support and diligence.”
Rock Tech Lithium, headquartered in Vancouver, extracts raw lithium material from its mining project in Georgia Lake, Ontario, Canada, which is then refined into battery-grade lithium hydroxide in Guben. The company plans to produce approximately 24,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide annually in Guben starting from 2025, with a goal to source 50 percent of raw materials from battery recycling by 2030. Mercedes-Benz has already secured an annual supply of 10,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide from the Guben plant.
Despite not receiving federal funding, Rock Tech Lithium remains a crucial part of the battery cell supply chain, aligning with the strategic goals outlined by German Economics Minister Robert Habeck for Europe’s sovereignty. CEO Harbecke expressed disappointment over the funding setback but stated that the company is in constructive dialogue with the Brandenburg state government, hoping to secure sufficient regional funding for the project.
The approval announcement emphasizes the creation of approximately 160 jobs in Guben and outlines the construction process. Rock Tech Lithium had initiated construction with advance authorization, enabling site preparation before final approval. The approval process, including public participation, was completed by the Brandenburg State Environmental Agency in two years.
Environment Minister Axel Vogel highlighted Brandenburg’s role in expanding battery production for e-mobility and electricity storage, reaffirming the region’s attractiveness for transitioning to a climate-neutral economy.
