CLEOP (Vulcan Energie). Foto: Vulcan
Vulcan has started commissioning the lithium hydroxide optimization plant (CLEOP) at Industriepark Höchst in Frankfurt. The CLEOP will convert lithium chloride from the company’s lithium extraction optimization plant (LEOP) in Landau into battery-ready lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LHM). The start of commissioning marks the completion of the main building and the supply systems so that the first switch-ons can take place. The plant has now been supplied with electricity for the first time – a decisive step for the electrolysis plant. Vulcan’s CLEOP plays an important role in Europe’s path to a sustainable and resilient future: it will produce the first battery-ready LHM derived from a European lithium resource.
Both LEOP and CLEOP are optimization facilities and precursors to the planned commercial facilities. They are used to optimize operating processes, carry out product quality tests and train operating personnel with a view to commercial production. Vulcan’s Commercial Central Lithium Plant (CLP) will produce 24,000 tons of LHM per year and will also be built at Industriepark Höchst. The company expects that the production of LHM in the CLEOP will enable significant progress in the product qualification required by the offtake partners. This will reduce the risk of delays and accelerate the product’s market launch once commercial production has begun.
The start of commissioning will be followed by the start of production of the first lithium hydroxide and subsequently the first production of battery grade LHM – the first LHM to be produced entirely in Europe from raw material to final product.
