2024-07-15 04:00:08
A major breakthrough in lithium production promises to transform the battery industry in Europe. German company EnBW, in partnership with LevertonHELM, a subsidiary of HELM AG, has developed an innovative method to extract lithium lithium from geothermal waters, offering a more ecological and sustainable solution than traditional methods.
EnBW extracted a solution of lithium chloride thermal waters from the Bruchsal geothermal power plant in Baden-Württemberg. This solution was then sent to Basingstoke in the United Kingdom, where LevertonHELM refined it to obtain carbonate de lithium with a purity greater than 99.5%. This high quality product can be used directly in the manufacture of materials for battery cathodes.
This success has motivated the two companies to extend their collaboration to develop the sustainable production of lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide. They aim to exploit local resources to meet the growing demand for electric mobility and energy storage in Europe. Dr. Thomas Kölbel, expert a research and development at EnBWhighlights the importance of lithium in the energy transition and the expansion of renewable energies.
The ecological benefits of this method are considerable. Traditionally, lithium extraction, mainly carried out in South America, consumes enormous quantities ofeau and affects local ecosystems. On the other hand, the method of EnBW et LevertonHELM uses geothermal water, a renewable resource, thus reducing theenvironmental impact.
Bart Vanden Bossche, commercial director at LevertonHELMhighlights the importance of developing European resources to reduce dependence on lithium imports. This initiative could establish local production of critical materials, thus supporting the European Union’s energy transition.
Stephen Elgueta Wallis, vice president of energy materials at HELMconsider this project as an opportunity to strengthen the chain European battery supply lithium-ion. Laura Herrmann, Project Manager in research and development at EnBWspecifies that the water extracted from the Bruchsal geothermal power plant has a particularly high lithium content, offering a unique opportunity for local extraction.
Thus, the collaboration between EnBW et LevertonHELM could revolutionize lithium production in Europe, making the process cleaner and more sustainable. This development supports not only Europe’s ecological but also its economic goals, by placing the continent at the forefront of innovation in the battery industry.
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