Mercedes-Benz battery partner Rock Tech broke ground at its new lithium refining plant in Germany on Monday, per the press release. The joint venture’s inaugural refining plant will supply the legacy automaker with its future electric vehicles.
The project is also expected to advance Bradenburg’s efforts toward clean mobility and innovative technology.
“I am very pleased that we have attracted Rock Tech, a visionary cleantech company, which brings us closer to our goal of becoming a hub of modern industry, sustainable mobility, and high technology. With this groundbreaking, Brandenburg is taking another important step towards becoming a highly prosperous and climate neutral growth cluster.”
Dr. Dietmar Woidke, Premier of the State of Brandenburg
Mercedes’ efforts to obtain EV battery independence
Rock Tech’s German lithium refinery is critical to Mercedes’ strategy to achieve battery independence, significantly boosting the company’s electrification.
The new refining plant is acknowledged as Europe‘s most innovative lithium refinery. It will convert lithium-bearing hard rock into battery-grade lithium hydroxide in a single facility for the cathode and battery industries. For the region’s automakers, this is a crucial cornerstone and a substantial accelerator for the shift to EV mobility.
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Notably, the German automaker declared that its new lithium hydroxide plant will be operational in 2026, along with a few contemporary changes in manufacturing. Apparently, these changes include Mercedes’ industrial retrofitting initiatives in Europe, China, and North America.
“The shift towards electric mobility for Mercedes-Benz necessitates a change in our supply chains. Our three primary objectives are sustainability, raw material security, and procurement localization. Today’s groundbreaking ceremony in Guben marks yet another milestone for Mercedes-Benz in its pursuit of the sustainable production of cutting-edge batteries. Rock Tech will play a crucial role in Mercedes-Benz’s future lithium supply in Europe.”
Mercedes’ Member of the Board of Management Markus Schäfer
