Highlights

  • Vulcan has secured the building permit for its upstream Lithium Extraction Plant (LEP) at the Lionheart Project in Germany, completing the major permit requirements for Phase One.
  • The integrated geothermal-lithium system (G-LEP) uses geothermal brine to supply heat and then processes lithium via VULSORB® adsorption technology in a closed-loop, zero-fossil-fuel system.
  • The downstream Central Lithium Plant (CLP) in Frankfurt is permitted and designed to produce up to 24,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide monohydrate per year—enough for around 500,000 EVs annually.

Vulcan Energy (ASX:VUL) (FSE:VUL) has obtained the building permit to construct its upstream Lithium Extraction Plant (LEP) at the 100 %-owned Lionheart Project in Landau, Germany, marking one of the final major approvals required for the first phase of its integrated geothermal-lithium operation. With this permit in hand, all primary construction permits for the Phase One sites have now been secured.

Permit Wins Align with Phase One Objectives

Vulcan has now locked in the building permit for the LEP, which will form part of its integrated geothermal and lithium extraction system (G-LEP) at the Lionheart site. In addition, the company had previously secured the permit for the 30 MW geothermal plant and its electrical substation in June 2025, and received land-acquisition approval from the City of Landau in September 2025. These approvals collectively enable the company to proceed with construction of the upstream extraction facility and associated infrastructure.

Integrated Process: Geothermal + Lithium Extraction

The design of the G-LEP sees hot geothermal brine deliver heat via intermediate heat exchangers into a closed-loop industrial water circuit, supplying district heating and Organic Rankine Cycle plants. Once the heat is drawn off, the cooled lithium-rich brine is channelled into the LEP where the proprietary VULSORB® adsorption technology extracts lithium. The lithium-depleted brine is then reinjected into the reservoir, completing a carbon-neutral extraction cycle that uses zero fossil fuels for the lithium production phase.

Downstream Component Approved and Phase One Capacity

Beyond the upstream LEP, Vulcan has also secured the building permit for the downstream Central Lithium Plant (CLP) located at Industrial Park Höchst, Frankfurt. During Phase One, the CLP is designed to process lithium chloride into lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LHM) with a capacity of up to 24,000 tonnes per annum—sufficient for approximately 500,000 electric vehicles each year. With the upstream and downstream permits in place, the company is positioned to begin detailed execution planning for Phase One.

Financing and Modular Development Strategy

The LEP permit forms a critical component of Vulcan’s Phase One financing strategy, which the company is targeting to finalise in the fourth quarter of 2025. With all major construction permits obtained, the company will begin mobilising for the modular build of the G-LEP, allowing phased roll-out of future capacity in the Upper Rhine Valley Brine Field. As part of the broader development, the company will also integrate its geothermal power and heating infrastructure with lithium extraction operations to deliver a vertically-integrated supply chain.

VUL shares traded at AUD 6.83 per share at the time of writing on 3 November 2025.