Germany opened the first lithium refinery in Europe

The company “AMG Lithium” opened the first lithium refinery in Europe in Bitterfeld-Wolfen, Germany.

The refinery was built in a little more than two years and cost around 140 million euros, writes Euronews.

Most of the lithium for the plant will come from Brazil. The refinery’s job is to then convert the feedstock into battery-compatible lithium hydroxide. The plant is expected to produce 20,000 tons of lithium hydroxide per year, which is enough to power 500,000 electric vehicles.

Lithium is a key component in the production of electric vehicle (EV) batteries. It is an element that is in high demand as a result of the global transition to green energy.

In response to its growing demand, the EU has proposed a Critical Raw Materials Action Plan for 2020, which aims to reduce Europe’s dependence on external sources of supply.

Currently, most hybrid and electric vehicles use lithium-ion batteries. General Director of “AMG Lithium” Stefan Scherer said “if you want certain performance and driving range, then the lithium-ion battery is simply unbeatable.”

In the future, lithium from European mines, such as Portugal and the Erzgebirge mountain (Krušne Hori) on the border of the Czech Republic and Germany, will also be produced here.