- Vulcan Energy Resources (VUL) is expanding its Zero Carbon Lithium business into Alsace, France
- The renewable energy and lithium hydroxide producer already has operations within the Upper Rhine Valley brine field in Germany, which crosses over into France
- Describing it as a “natural extension”, Vulcan wants to increase the supply of its sustainable lithium product and apply the same expertise and technology to extract lithium in France
- Vulcan’s plans have already received significant support from stakeholders, who “welcome the expansion of Vulcan in France and the development of additional Zero Carbon Lithium”
- Vulcan shares are up 0.4 per cent to $7.53 at 10:48 am AEDT
Vulcan Energy Resources (VUL) has begun implementing steps to expand its Zero Carbon Lithium business into France.
The company is focused on leveraging its carbon-neutral, zero-fossil-fuels business to produce geothermal and renewable energy and lithium hydroxide for Europe’s battery and electric vehicle market.
Vulcan is targeting the French region of Alsace, which it said was a “natural extension” of the Upper Rhine Valley geothermal-lithium brine field in Germany, which accounts for roughly one-third of the Upper Rhine Graben that straddles the France-Germany border.
Based on historical data and sampling from existing operations in the region, the brine composition in Alsace is much the same as that at Vulcan’s Germany operations.
The company previously collected a bulk brine sample from the French side of the border to conduct testwork, with samples returning high-grade lithium with low impurities.
Based on these, the company believes its lithium production process is applicable across the whole Upper Rhine Valley field.
In efforts to expand the business, Vulcan created a French entity, Vulcan Energie France SAS (VEF), which has applied for its first lithium exploration license — covering 155 square kilometres — within the French region of Les Cigognes.
The planned expansion has already received significant support from stakeholders, who reportedly “welcome the expansion of Vulcan in France and the development of additional Zero Carbon Lithium”.
Vulcan Chief Commercial Officer Vincent Ledoux-Pedailles said the company looked forward to supporting its French customers and helping local communities and businesses to decarbonise energy.
“An extension of our core operating area, the Upper Rhine Valley Brine Field, expanding into France is a natural next step for Vulcan as we can apply the same expertise and technology to extract lithium sustainably,” he said.
Vulcan said where possible, it may also seek public and strategic funding to help fund its expansion into France.
Vulcan shares were up 0.4 per cent to $7.53 at 10:48 am AEDT.