Vulcan Energy has taken a significant step forward in its Phase One Lionheart Project, announcing JordProxa as its technology and equipment partner for the lithium purification, concentration, and conversion processes. The Australian company will play a pivotal role in the project’s success, which aims to produce 275 GWh of power and 24,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LHM) annually—enough to support approximately 500,000 electric vehicles.
The contracts between Vulcan Energy and JordProxa cover the design, fabrication, modularisation, and delivery of core process units for lithium extraction, purification, and concentration at the Lithium Extraction Plant (LEP) via the Adsorption-type Direct Lithium Extraction (A-DLE) process. Additionally, JordProxa will handle the conversion process at the Central Lithium Plant (CLP). The combined value of these contracts underscores the scale and ambition of the project.
Located at the upstream integrated D12 site in Landau, Germany, the LEP will work in tandem with the CLP, situated downstream at Industrial Park Höchst in Frankfurt. JordProxa’s expertise in advanced water treatment, crystallisation, and evaporation plant and systems will be crucial in transforming lithium-rich eluates into high-purity LHM, meeting the stringent requirements of battery electric vehicle manufacturers.
This partnership builds on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in May 2024, which aimed to enhance project processes, streamline delivery times, and optimise costs. The MoU also facilitated early engagement with the Engineering Procurement and Construction contractor and the Main Electrical and Automation Contractor, clarifying scope definition, boundary limits, design principles, standards, and interfaces.
The signing of these contracts is a condition precedent to financing, which Vulcan Energy is targeting to finalise, along with additional project and financing agreements, in the fourth quarter of 2025. Cris Moreno, Vulcan Energy’s Managing Director and CEO, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “The signing of these contracts build on our established partnership with JordProxa, a company which shares Vulcan’s commitment to excellence, innovation and sustainability. JordProxa is a leading company in the purification and concentration of battery grade materials, and we are delighted to be using this world-class experience to deliver our flagship Phase One Lionheart Project. We’re thrilled to be working alongside the exceptional JordProxa team as we progress towards construction of the project, which will deliver Europe’s first fully domestic and sustainable lithium value chain.”
Paul Browne, Managing Director of JordProxa, echoed this sentiment, commenting, “We are pleased to strengthen our relationship with Vulcan and support its mission to become Europe’s leading sustainable lithium business through the provision of an integrated and optimised flowsheet solution. This innovative project will use a variety of our world class technology products; we are proud to be playing a role in ensuring the purity of the lithium is of the highest order for Vulcan’s offtake partners.”
The collaboration between Vulcan Energy and JordProxa marks a significant milestone in the development of Europe’s lithium supply chain. As the demand for electric vehicles continues to grow, the establishment of a domestic and sustainable lithium value chain could reshape the mining sector, reducing reliance on imports and enhancing energy security. This project not only highlights the potential for technological innovation in the mining industry but also underscores the importance of strategic partnerships in achieving ambitious sustainability goals. The success of the Lionheart Project could set a precedent for future mining ventures, demonstrating how collaboration and cutting-edge technology can drive progress in the sector.