AMG Lithium, a leading lithium producer, has recently opened Europe’s first lithium refinery in Bitterfeld-Wolfen, Germany. The refinery, built at a cost of 140 million euros, is expected to produce 20,000 tonnes of battery-compatible lithium hydroxide annually. This output is enough to power approximately 500,000 electric vehicles per year. Most of the plant’s lithium will be sourced from Brazil initially. However, in the future, lithium extracted from European mines in countries such as Portugal and the Ore Mountains will also be processed at the facility.
Lithium is a critical component in the production of electric vehicle batteries, making it a highly sought-after material in the context of the global shift towards green energy. The opening of this refinery is a significant step towards reducing Europe’s dependency on external sources of lithium supply. In 2020, the EU proposed a Critical Raw Materials Action Plan to address this issue.
According to Managing Director Stefan Scherer, lithium-ion batteries are currently unbeatable in terms of performance and range for electric vehicles. With the increasing demand for electric vehicles, the production of lithium hydroxide at the new refinery will play a crucial role in meeting the growing needs of the industry. AMG Lithium’s investment in this state-of-the-art facility demonstrates its commitment to sustainable and environmentally friendly energy solutions.
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