ABB has been awarded a major contract by Vulcan Energy to supply the complete electrical infrastructure for Phase One of the Lionheart Project, located in Germany’s Upper Rhine Valley. The project combines renewable energy generation with lithium extraction and processing to produce battery-grade lithium hydroxide monohydrate for Europe’s rapidly expanding electric vehicle market.
Once operational, the Lionheart Project is expected to produce up to 24,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide monohydrate annually—sufficient to support the manufacture of approximately 500,000 electric vehicles each year. In addition, the facility will generate around 275 GWh of renewable electricity and 560 GWh of thermal energy.
Under three contracts with a combined value of €46 million, ABB will act as the lead electrical contractor for the project. Its responsibilities include the design, engineering, manufacturing, testing, and delivery of the full electrical scope. ABB’s systems will power the Lithium Extraction Plant in Landau, the Central Lithium Plant at Industriepark Höchst in Frankfurt, and the associated geothermal well sites. The scope covers high-, medium-, and low-voltage distribution, transformers, drives, uninterruptible power supplies, and protection systems, ensuring reliable power delivery from the 110 kV grid to individual process units and buildings.
The contracts build on a Memorandum of Understanding signed by ABB and Vulcan Energy in April 2024, which aimed to streamline engineering workflows and improve cost and delivery performance. Together, ABB’s electrification expertise and Vulcan Energy’s renewable lithium technology are set to establish Europe’s first fully integrated, low-carbon lithium production operation.
Björn Jonsson, Global Business Line Manager for Mining & Materials in ABB’s Process Industries division, said the Lionheart Project demonstrates how clean energy and advanced electrification can work together to strengthen Europe’s battery supply chain and support the transition to electric mobility.
Cris Moreno, Managing Director and CEO of Vulcan Energy, said ABB’s technology and experience provide the confidence needed to scale operations efficiently. He noted that the collaboration supports the development of a resilient and decarbonized lithium supply chain powered by renewable energy. Finalization of the contracts is subject to the completion of project financing, which Vulcan Energy is targeting, along with related agreements, in the fourth quarter of 2025.
ABB is a global leader in electrification and automation technologies, focused on advancing sustainable and resource-efficient industrial operations. By integrating deep engineering know-how with digital capabilities, the company supports industries in improving performance, efficiency, and productivity while reducing environmental impact. This approach underpins ABB’s philosophy of helping customers stay ahead through innovation and operational excellence. With a history spanning more than 140 years, ABB employs approximately 110,000 people worldwide and is publicly listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ABBN) and Nasdaq Stockholm (ABB).
ABB’s Process Automation division delivers automation, electrification, and digital solutions for industrial operations across sectors that provide essential services, including energy, water, materials processing, manufacturing, and logistics. Supported by a global team of around 20,000 specialists, the business combines advanced technology with service expertise to help process, hybrid, and maritime industries operate more efficiently, reliably, and sustainably.
