Vulcan Energy Resources

What Vulcan Energy Resources does

Vulcan Energy Resources (ASX: VUL, FSE: VUL) is an Australian-listed, German-operating integrated lithium chemicals and renewable energy company developing the Lionheart Project in the Upper Rhine Valley Brine Field between Germany and France. The company produces battery-quality lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LHM) by extracting lithium from deep geothermal brine using its proprietary VULSORB® aluminate-based sorbent for Adsorption-type Direct Lithium Extraction (A-DLE), then converting the purified lithium chloride to LHM via the NORSCAND® electrolysis system at its Central Lithium Plant in Frankfurt's Industriepark Höchst. Phase One targets 24,000 tonnes of LHM annually — sufficient for approximately 500,000 electric vehicle batteries — alongside co-production of 275 GWh of renewable electricity and 560 GWh of heat per year from the same geothermal brine source.

The business model combines direct long-term offtake sales to European automotive OEMs (Stellantis), battery manufacturers (LG Energy Solution), cathode producers (Umicore), and commodities traders (Glencore) — totalling up to 203,000 tonnes of contracted LHM — with revenue from regional heat supply contracts (ESW, MVV Energie Mannheim, BASF) and surplus electricity sales into the local grid. VULSORB® technology is separately available for global licensing, exemplified by the agreement with EAU Lithium for Bolivian brine projects. Pricing under LHM offtakes uses fixed and floor-ceiling structures; specific per-tonne pricing is not publicly disclosed.

Phase One is funded by a €2.2bn (US$3.9bn) capital stack secured at financial close in December 2025, comprising €1.18bn senior debt from 13 financial institutions, €204m German government grants, €150m KfW Raw Materials Fund equity, €133m from strategic investors HOCHTIEF and Siemens Financial Services, and €528m equity proceeds. The project holds EU Strategic Project status under the Critical Raw Materials Act and has received the highest-ever S&P Global Dark Green rating for a metals and mining company. Commercial production is targeted for H2 2028; the company's Upper Rhine Valley resource base of 27.7 Mt LCE supports potential multi-phase expansion beyond the 4.16 Mt LCE planned for Phase One.

Name

Vulcan Energy Resources

Legal name

Vulcan Energy Resources Limited

Website

https://v-er.eu

Company type

Public

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Vulcan Energy Resources is an Australian-listed integrated lithium and renewable energy company using proprietary VULSORB® direct lithium extraction to produce zero-carbon battery-quality lithium hydroxide from geothermal brine in Germany's Upper Rhine Valley for European EV OEMs and battery manufacturers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Lithium Chemicals / Battery Materials

akta.pro primary industry

Battery Raw Materials Mining & Refining (Lithium, Nickel, Cobalt, Manganese, Graphite) (EUAFABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Battery Recycling & Materials Recovery (Li-ion, LFP, Flow, Lead-Acid) (EUAMALAE), Hydrometallurgical Recycling & Refining (Leaching, Solvent Extraction, Precipitation) (EUAFACAD)

Keywords

• Lithium hydroxide production
• Direct lithium extraction
• Geothermal energy
• Battery raw materials
• Renewable heat and power

Headquarters

HQ city

Perth

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Lithium Hydroxide Monohydrate (LHM) Sales: Vulcan generates primary revenue from selling battery-quality lithium hydroxide monohydrate to automotive OEMs and battery manufacturers under long-term offtake agreements. Phase One targets production of 24,000 tonnes LHM annually, sufficient for approximately 500,000 EV batteries. Offtake agreements cover a combined total of up to 203,000 tonnes over multi-year periods with Umicore, LG Energy Solution, Stellantis, and Glencore. Pricing structures include fixed and floor-ceiling components under long-term contracts.
2. Renewable Electricity and Heat Sales: Co-production of 275 GWh of renewable electricity and 560 GWh of heat per year from geothermal brine. Surplus renewable energy is sold into the local energy market. Heat supply contracts are in place with ESW, MVV Energie Mannheim, and BASF.
3. VULSORB® Technology Licensing: Vulcan's proprietary VULSORB® A-DLE technology is available for licensing to third parties globally. Cosmos Exploration's backed entity EAU Lithium has signed a licensing agreement to deploy VULSORB® for lithium extraction from Bolivian brines.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Vulcan Energy Resources produces battery-quality lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LHM) by extracting lithium from deep geothermal brine in Germany's Upper Rhine Valley using its proprietary VULSORB® Adsorption-type Direct Lithium Extraction (A-DLE) sorbent, followed by NORSCAND® electrolysis conversion. The integrated Lionheart Project co-produces 275 GWh of renewable electricity and 560 GWh of heat annually, targeting 24,000 tonnes of LHM per year — enough for approximately 500,000 EV batteries — sold directly to European automotive OEMs and battery manufacturers under long-term offtake agreements.

Product overview

Vulcan Energy Resources operates as an integrated lithium and renewable energy company built around its proprietary VULSORB® direct lithium extraction technology. The company's core offering is the Lionheart Project, which combines geothermal energy generation with lithium extraction to produce battery-quality lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LHM) for the European electric vehicle supply chain. VULSORB® technology extracts lithium from geothermal brine using adsorption-type direct lithium extraction, while the naturally heated brine simultaneously powers renewable energy co-products (275 GWh electricity and 560 GWh heat annually). The integrated approach enables carbon-neutral lithium production with the entire process covering approximately 130km from wellsite to battery-quality product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Lionheart Project: The company's flagship integrated lithium and renewable energy project in Germany's Upper Rhine Valley targeting 24,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide annually.
• VULSORB®

Products and services

• Lithium Hydroxide Monohydrate (LHM) Battery-quality lithium hydroxide monohydrate produced by extracting lithium from deep geothermal brine using VULSORB® A-DLE and converting it via NORSCAND® electrolysis. Supplied to automotive OEMs and battery manufacturers for use in EV batteries and stationary energy storage. Phase One Lionheart targets 24,000 tonnes per year, sufficient for approximately 500,000 EV batteries.
• Geothermal Energy (Renewable Electricity and Heat) Renewable electricity (275 GWh/year) and heat (560 GWh/year) co-produced from naturally heated geothermal brine in the Upper Rhine Valley. The brine's heat drives the lithium extraction process, with surplus electricity sold into the local energy grid and heat supplied via dedicated pipelines to district heating operators (ESW, MVV Energie Mannheim) and industrial consumers (BASF Ludwigshafen).
• VULSORB® A-DLE Technology Licensing Licensing of Vulcan's proprietary VULSORB® aluminate-based sorbent technology for Adsorption-type Direct Lithium Extraction from brines worldwide. The sorbent delivers higher lithium adsorption performance and lower water consumption than commercially available alternatives. Licensed for use across multiple brine chemistries in Europe and internationally.

Quantifiable outcome

• 24,000 tonnes LHM/year — enough for ~500,000 EV batteries, representing ~12% of Europe's projected 2030 lithium demand
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered supporting and core.

• EAU Lithium (Cosmos Exploration)supportingOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 24 June 2026EAU Lithium (following Cosmos Exploration merger) accesses Vulcan's VULSORB® Direct Lithium Extraction technology through an existing licensing agreement for lithium development in Bolivia, working with Bolivia's state lithium company YLB.
• Siemens AGcoreTechnology or Integration · 21 April 2026Siemens signed a €40 million framework agreement as Main Automation Contractor (MAC) for the Lionheart geothermal lithium project. Covers distributed control systems, industrial network infrastructure, cybersecurity frameworks, building automation, and safety systems for the Lithium Extraction Plant in Landau, Central Lithium Plant at Frankfurt Industrial Park Höchst, and distributed production well sites through December 31, 2035.
• Expro Group HoldingssupportingTechnology or Integration · 24 March 2026Expro will provide well testing services for the Lionheart geothermal and lithium project, partnering with VERCANA GmbH and Vulcan Energy Resources GmbH. Expro will support the first Schleidberg well with its GeoFlow Surface Well Testing package for reservoir analysis, fluid assessment, and geothermal and lithium development.
• VERCANA GmbHsupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 24 March 2026VERCANA GmbH partnered with Expro Group Holdings to deliver geothermal well testing services for the Lionheart Project, supporting reservoir analysis and geothermal/lithium development.
• ABBcoreTechnology or Integration · 18 December 2025ABB appointed as main electrical contractor for Phase One Lionheart under three contracts totaling €46 million. Responsible for design, engineering, manufacture, testing, and delivery of complete electrical infrastructure for lithium extraction and processing facilities in Landau and Frankfurt's Industriepark Höchst.
• HOCHTIEFcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 18 December 2025HOCHTIEF (via HOCHTIEF and Sedgman JV) signed a major project contract for Phase One construction. HOCHTIEF is a minority investor in the project consortium and is providing construction expertise for the Lionheart project. HOCHTIEF reported record order backlog of EUR 72.5 billion in 2025.
• StellantiscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 3 December 2025Long-term lithium hydroxide offtake agreement with Stellantis (automotive OEM) for supply of battery-quality LHM from Phase One Lionheart. Stellantis uses the lithium for EV battery production at its European manufacturing facilities.
• UmicorecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 3 December 2025Multi-year offtake agreement for battery-quality lithium hydroxide monohydrate from Phase One Lionheart. Umicore is a leading cathode active material and rechargeable battery materials producer serving the European market.
• LG Energy SolutioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 3 December 2025Multi-year offtake agreement for battery-quality lithium hydroxide monohydrate from Phase One Lionheart. LG Energy Solution is one of the world's largest battery manufacturers supplying automotive OEMs globally.
• European Commission / EU Critical Raw Materials ActcoreOthers · 28 November 2025Vulcan's Lionheart project is designated as an EU Strategic Project under the Critical Raw Materials Act, receiving streamlined permitting (27-month extraction permits, 15-month other permits) and being positioned as a flagship project for Europe's domestic lithium supply chain.
• Natixis CIB (ESG Coordinator and Structurer)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 3 November 2025Natixis CIB acted as ESG Coordinator and structured the €2.2 billion financing package for Lionheart, including the first-ever green financing under ICMA's Green Enabling Projects Guidance. Natixis structured €1.3 billion in project financing for the Lionheart geothermal lithium project.
• JordProxasupportingTechnology or Integration · 17 October 2025JordProxa secured a comprehensive equipment and technology supply agreement for the Phase One Lionheart Project encompassing both the Lithium Extraction Plant in Landau and the Central Lithium Plant in Frankfurt. Uses advanced Adsorption-type Direct Lithium Extraction technology to produce 24,000 tonnes annually of battery-grade LHM.
• GlencorecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 13 October 2025Offtake agreement with Glencore's wholly owned subsidiary to supply 36,000 to 44,000 tonnes of battery-quality LHM over an initial eight-year period from Phase One Lionheart. The deal was the final offtake agreement required for Phase One project financing.
• NORAM Electrolysis Systems (NESI)coreTechnology or Integration · 4 September 2025NESI signed a supply contract to be the exclusive electrolysis technology supplier for Phase One Lionheart Project. Contract includes services in technology, engineering, procurement, and commissioning for the NORSCAND® Lithium Chloride Electrolysis System at Vulcan's Central Lithium Electrolysis Optimization Plant in Frankfurt.
• BASFsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 November 2024Vulcan and BASF partnership to develop a geothermal heat project at the BASF Ludwigshafen site. Vulcan aims to deliver 2,000–2,500 GWh renewable heat annually. The partnership also evaluates on-site lithium extraction plant construction. This underscores Vulcan's growing reputation and provides credibility to its approach.
• ESW (Energie Südpfalzwerk)supportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRenewable heat supply contract for district heating from Phase One Lionheart geothermal operations.
• MVV Energie MannheimsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRenewable heat supply contract for district heating from Phase One Lionheart geothermal operations.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Regional players

• European Lithium: Austria-listed lithium developer with hard rock assets in Austria (Wolfsberg) and Ukraine. Comparable as a European-focused lithium developer targeting battery-grade supply for the EU EV supply chain, although using conventional hard rock mining rather than DLE.

Broad incumbents

• SQM: Chile-based integrated lithium and specialty chemicals producer with major brine operations in the Atacama. Comparable as a global lithium incumbent supplying battery-grade lithium to OEMs and competing for European market share.
• Livent: Specialty lithium chemicals producer with integrated resource-to-LiOH assets in Argentina and the US. Recently merged with Allkem to form Arcadium. Comparable as a focused battery-grade LiOH supplier serving EV cathode manufacturers.
• Albemarle Corporation: World's largest lithium producer with integrated brine (Atacama) and hard rock (Greenbushes) assets plus conversion capacity. Comparable as the dominant incumbent supplier of battery-grade lithium to global OEMs and direct competitor for European offtake contracts.
• Tianqi Lithium: Chinese lithium giant with hard rock (Greenbushes JV) and brine assets plus global LiOH conversion capacity. Comparable as a major integrated lithium chemicals producer with global OEM relationships.

Direct peers

• Standard Lithium: Pure-play Direct Lithium Extraction developer in the US (Arkansas Smackover brine), targeting battery-grade LiOH/Li₂CO₃ using proprietary DLE processes. Comparable to Vulcan in technology positioning (DLE rather than evaporation ponds) and lithium chemicals end-market.
• ioneer Ltd: ASX-listed lithium and boron developer operating the Rhyolite Ridge project in Nevada with a sulfuric acid leach process to produce lithium carbonate. Comparable as a Western-listed, sustainability-positioned battery materials developer serving EV supply chains.
• Rock Tech Lithium: Canadian/German-listed developer building a lithium hydroxide converter in Guben, Germany, sourcing spodumene feedstock. Highly comparable in targeting battery-grade LiOH for the European EV market and operating German downstream assets.

Emerging players

• EnergySource Minerals: US-based DLE developer at the ATLiS project in California with ILiAD technology. Comparable as a fellow DLE-driven lithium developer using proprietary adsorption chemistry on geothermal/salt brines to produce battery-grade lithium.
• Lilac Solutions: US-based DLE technology company deploying ion-exchange beads for lithium extraction across multiple global brine resources. Comparable as a DLE technology innovator licensable to third parties; potential competitor to VULSORB.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/VulcanEnergyRes
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@vulcanenergyresources7661
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vulcan-energy-resources
• Instagraminstagram.com/vulcanenergyresources

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles21 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds6 records

Investors18 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Vulcan Energy Resources