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Groundbreaking ceremony for Europe's first lithium hydroxide refinery in Bitterfeld-Wolfen

Bitterfeld-Wolfen, May 11, 2022

On Wednesday, May 11, 2022, AMG Lithium kicked off the construction of the first battery-grade lithium hydroxide refinery within the European Union with a symbolic groundbreaking ceremony in Bitterfeld-Wolfen.

From here, AMG Lithium will supply the European battery industry with this critical raw material from the second half of 2023, while also providing an important part for efficient and competitive lithium recycling from spent batteries.

Lithium hydroxide is used to produce cathode materials, which in turn are installed in cells for lithium-ion batteries. The annual capacity of 20,000 metric tons will make a decisive contribution to the local supply of the battery industry in Europe and significantly support the development of electromobility. The refinery currently under construction represents the first of five planned modules at the site in Bitterfeld-Wolfen, so that ultimately around 100,000 tons of lithium salts can be produced there.

AMG Lithium already produces and markets spodumene concentrate from a mine in Brazil, which is used to produce the precursors for the plant in Bitterfeld-Wolfen. Dr. Heinz Schimmelbusch, CEO of the parent company, AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group, outlines the entrepreneurial goals of AMG Lithium: "In the long term, we will also offer sulfide materials for the next generation of lithium-ion batteries - keyword: solid-state batteries – as well as mining, conversion to lithium salts and their refinement to battery quality. For the development of all these materials and processes, we have already established a state-of-the-art laboratory and a team of experienced and competent lithium chemists in Frankfurt-Höchst three years ago."

The settlement of AMG Lithium in Saxony-Anhalt is an important contribution to the development of the industrial infrastructure for the state government. In a video greeting, the Minister President of Saxony-Anhalt, Dr. Reiner Haseloff, emphasized: "The energy transition and every technology of the future are enormous challenges. Today we are witnessing how electromobility, green energy and high-performance battery technology combine. I am glad that AMG Lithium has chosen this location for this important investment. The chemical region of Bitterfeld-Wolfen has a long tradition and people live here who have a lot of experience with this industry."

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Digital Affairs of Saxony-Anhalt, Dr. Lydia Hüskens, who was present on site, added: "If such an important raw material for the further development of e-mobility is produced here on our doorstep, we will be much more independent and crisis-proof in the future. That is obviously more important than ever at this time. At the same time, the new production site carries the name of Saxony-Anhalt all over the world, underscoring the good image of our state for further company settlements."

 

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