Viridian sets up Europe’s first lithium refining plant in Eastern France

The young Strasbourg company Viridian Lithium has just signed a lease agreement with the Ports de Strasbourg for the installation of its lithium refining plant on the port site of Lauterbourg. Based on new processes, this project represents a trailblazer on the European continent.

A pioneer in the purification and conversion of lithium in Europe

Created in 2021 in Strasbourg, Viridian Lithium is one of the first five winners of the France 2030 plan. Its CoRaLi project aims to create the first lithium purification and conversion plant in France and Europe. In 2022, the company announced its intention to deploy its activities on this port platform in northern Alsace, attached to the Ports of Strasbourg.

Viridian Lithium will convert lithium carbonate salts from various sources into lithium monohydrated lithium hydroxide for the battery industry. The company is also developing processes for purifying lithium from the recycling of batteries.

Viridian chose Lauterbourg and Eastern France because of its location at the heart of centres of excellence in chemistry and materials physics. Its position along the Rhine will also allow it to be routed by containers with less ecological impact. Finally, the Rhineland lithium-rich subsoil, which is still unexploited, energizes the Lithium sector and opens up promising prospects in the territory.

 Producing in France the lithium needed to equip 2 million electric vehicles

The production of lithium batteries for electric cars is a key element of the energy transition. By 2035, thermal vehicles will be banned for sale in the European Union. With a production of 28,500 tons of lithium per year from 2027, the equivalent of 2 million electric vehicles could be equipped by Viridian.

Valued at 295 million euros, this first French refinery is part of a process of sovereignty and decarbonization. “We do not currently have the capacity to process lithium carbonate into hydroxide on European soil. Today, 85% of lithium hydroxide processing capacity is in China, and to a lesser extent in Russia. Our project is clearly part of a strategy to reduce our dependence,” said Rémy Welschinger, President of Viridian Lithium.

250 direct and 600 indirect jobs are expected to be created.

Sources:

Le projet d’usine de raffinage de lithium porté par Viridian en Alsace se précise (lejournaldesentreprises.com)

Lithium : Viridian confirme son implantation en Alsace | Les Echos

Viridian confirme l’implantation de son usine de raffinage de lithium à Lauterbourg, au nord de Strasbourg (usinenouvelle.com)