France’s first lithium refinery is to be established in northern Alsace

Another step was taken. The first French lithium factory, an important metal car batteries, He must settle in Lauterburg, at the northern end of the Bas-Rhin. Alsatian society Viridian Lithium signed a lease with Strasbourg ports on Tuesday. Announced in June 2022, the project aims to install a “lithium refining and conversion plant” that will produce 28,500 tons per year from 2027, creating 250 direct and 600 indirect jobs. echoes.

The lease relates to 14 hectares of land located in the port of Lauterburg and the reservation of an additional six hectares. The site belongs to Ports of Strasbourg. The company aims to ultimately meet the demand for product manufacturing 2 million electric cars per year It is desired by the head of state until 2030.

Alsace is at the forefront of lithium-related projects. A pilot lithium production facility was commissioned at the end of 2023 at the Rittershoffen geothermal power plant, located approximately twenty kilometers from Lauterburg. Water taken from the bowels of the earth at 170 degrees contains 0.2% lithium. However, the plant continues to disturb local residents earthquake 2 and 2.2 on the Richter scale were felt at the beginning of May.

Strasbourg electricity approved French Blue that these microearthquakes are related to the operation of the Rittershoffen geothermal power plant. During its nearly 10-year existence, its drilling at a depth of 2,500 meters has only caused shocks that are imperceptible to humans

VIDEO BFMTV. Alsace: an earthquake of human origin

French mining group Eramet and Electric of Strasbourg The partners in this project (ÉS, a subsidiary of EdF) are also working on another geothermal field less than ten kilometers away in Soultz-sous-Forets. Elsewhere in France, one of Europe’s largest lithium mining projects, led by the Imerys group, joined the list of “projects of major national interest” in early July. Echassières in Allier.

These various projects are part of France’s strategy to wean itself off its dependence on precious metal imports, particularly China. The production of lithium batteries for electric cars is a key element of the energy transition, while the sale of thermal vehicles will be banned in the European Union from 2035.

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