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High-purity lithium for batteries is extracted from geothermal water. New sustainable technique promises to revolutionize battery production with less environmental impact
The new process could provide an alternative to more conventional “dirty” methods of extracting lithium. EnBW announced that LevertonHELM and EnBW have extracted battery-grade lithium from geothermal water. Using patented techniques, the German-British team produced lithium carbonate with a purity of >99,5%.
Energy group EnBW is entering the field of extracting lithium from thermal water. Following initial successes in a demonstration project at the Bruchsal geothermal power plant, the company is expanding its existing cooperation with the chemical company Helm. The aim is to boost the production of battery-grade lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide, the partners announced.
“The water we extract from the Bruchsal geothermal plant has a remarkably high lithium content. This opens up the possibility of extracting lithium as a valuable regional by-product using environmentally friendly methods.” – Laura Herrmann, project manager at EnBW.
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EnBW wants to extract lithium from thermal water
Promising deposits in the Upper Rhine Valley
Lithium is a raw material for batteries and energy storage systems and, to date, has been extracted mainly in salt flats in Australia and South America. Growing global demand has recently driven several actors to explore the possibilities of extracting lithium at the domestic level.
Deposits in the Upper Rhine Valley, where Bruchsal is also located, are considered promising. In Landau (Rhineland-Palatinate), approximately fifty kilometers west of Bruchsal, Vulcan Energy began extracting lithium from the geothermal brine of the Upper Rhine Valley in April.
High purity lithium salt
In the pilot project in Bruchsal, EnBW and Levertonhelm, a subsidiary of Helm AG, extracted a lithium chloride solution from the thermal water of the local geothermal plant. Levertonhelm experts refined this solution into lithium carbonate at their facility in Basingstoke (UK) – with a purity level of over 99,5%.
Due to its high quality, lithium salt can be used directly in the production of cathode materials for batteries, the partners emphasized. “Together with Levertonhelm, we want to take advantage of this resource and create a sustainable source of lithium to meet the growing demand in Germany and Europe,” announced Thomas Kölbel, research and development specialist at EnBW.
Lithium Situation in Brazil: Perspectives and Challenges
Lithium, known as “white gold” due to its strategic importance in battery production, is gaining prominence in Brazil's economic and industrial scenario. With the growing global demand for electric vehicles and electronic devices, the lithium market has become increasingly attractive, leading Brazil to explore its reserves and potential.
Reserves and Production Potential
Brazil has significant lithium reserves, mainly concentrated in the state of Minas Gerais, in the Jequitinhonha Valley region. National and international companies are investing in exploration and production projects, aiming to transform the country into one of the main suppliers of high-quality lithium. Brazilian lithium mines have the potential to provide the raw material needed to manufacture batteries, which are fundamental to the energy transition and electric mobility.
Challenges and Opportunities
Despite the potential, lithium exploration in Brazil faces significant challenges. Limited infrastructure, environmental issues and the need for technological development are barriers that need to be overcome. However, the Brazilian government has shown interest in encouraging the lithium industry, with public policies aimed at sustainability and technological innovation.
Furthermore, international cooperation can be a key to success. Partnerships with foreign companies can bring investments, advanced technologies and sustainable practices to the sector. The integration of the production chain, from mining to battery production, is essential for Brazil to fully take advantage of its lithium reserves.
Future perspectives
With strategic planning and adequate investments, Brazil has the potential to become an important player in the global lithium market. Sustainability and technological innovation will be fundamental to ensuring that lithium exploration contributes to the country's economic development, while preserving the environment and promoting social inclusion.
With www.enbw.com
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