German-Canadian firm Rock Tech Lithium has been awarded €800,000 in funding under the EIT RawMaterials KAVA programme to further develop lithium conversion technologies at its Guben site in eastern Germany. The grant marks the first official funding since the project was designated a ‘Strategic Project’ under the European Commission’s Critical Raw Materials Act earlier this year.
The funding recognises Rock Tech’s efforts to innovate in lithium processing and improve the efficiency of converting spodumene into lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LHM), a key material used in electric vehicle batteries. “We are delighted to have been selected for the KAVA grant and to have the opportunity to work with our partners to bring innovative and potentially game-changing lithium processing technologies to market,” said CEO Mirco Wojnarowicz.
Under the KAVA framework, Rock Tech will collaborate with international research institutions including the National Technical University of Athens, Belgian research centre VITO, and Greek technology firm Admiris. The joint project, named OLiVer, aims to optimise lithium extraction processes, improve lithium sulphate recovery, and test the integration of different extraction streams in a pilot plant at Guben.
Rock Tech expects the research to drive down costs and improve operational performance at the Guben converter, which received state-level approval from Brandenburg authorities in early 2024.