Siemens AG and Vulcan Energy have entered into a strategic partnership to advance Europe’s sustainable lithium production, formalizing their collaboration through a framework agreement and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The agreement supports the development of the Lionheart Project in Germany’s Upper Rhine Valley, a landmark initiative combining lithium extraction with renewable energy generation.
Under the MoU, Siemens will serve as a preferred supplier of automation and digitalization technologies for Vulcan Energy through 2035. This arrangement will extend beyond the Lionheart Project to future expansion phases, reinforcing long-term cooperation between the two companies.
The Lionheart Project is designed as a fully integrated operation targeting an annual production capacity of 24,000 tons of lithium hydroxide monohydrate, sufficient to support approximately 500,000 electric vehicle batteries each year. In addition to lithium production, the project is expected to generate around 275 GWh of renewable electricity and 560 GWh of heat annually for local communities over an estimated operational lifespan of three decades.
Through this partnership, Vulcan Energy will leverage Siemens’ advanced portfolio of automation and digital technologies to support efficient and scalable operations. These capabilities will play a critical role in optimizing processes from resource extraction to final lithium production, while also enhancing system reliability and performance.
Roland Busch, President and CEO of Siemens AG, stated that the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to strengthening Europe’s industrial resilience and enabling a localized lithium supply chain essential for the energy transition. He emphasized the role of advanced technologies in accelerating production and supporting sustainable industrial growth.
Cris Moreno, Managing Director and CEO of Vulcan Energy, noted that the agreement marks a significant milestone in the company’s efforts to build a carbon-neutral lithium supply chain in Europe. He highlighted the importance of technology partnerships in achieving operational and environmental objectives while unlocking future growth opportunities.
The agreement includes deployment of solutions from the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio, encompassing instrumentation, distributed control systems, digital twin capabilities, industrial networking, cybersecurity and analytics. Smart infrastructure technologies from Siemens’ building solutions portfolio will also be integrated to support efficient site operations. Siemens Financial Services is expected to join the project as a minority investor alongside partners including HOCHTIEF and Demea Sustainable Investment, with additional financing support introduced through the Export and Investment Fund of Denmark.
Aligned with the European Union’s Critical Raw Materials Act, the Lionheart Project is positioned to enhance regional resource independence and strengthen the electric mobility supply chain. The collaboration underscores a broader effort to expand sustainable lithium availability while supporting Europe’s transition to cleaner energy systems.
