AMG Critical opens Europe’s first lithium hydroxide refinery in Germany

AMG Critical Materials has inaugurated Europe’s first lithium hydroxide refinery in Bitterfeld-Wolfen, Germany, through its subsidiary AMG Lithium BV. The facility began producing battery-grade lithium hydroxide on 18 September 2024. The first of five planned modules has an annual capacity of 20,000 tonnes, sufficient to power around 500,000 electric vehicle (EV) batteries.

AMG’s first module is already sold out, and the company plans to expand production to 100,000 tonnes per annum (tpa) by 2030. With demand for lithium projected to reach 700,000 tonnes for European batteries by 2030, AMG’s refinery plays a crucial role in securing lithium supply for the region.

Lithium hydroxide is essential for manufacturing cathode materials in EV batteries, aiding the transition to carbon-neutral transportation.

While several European lithium projects are advancing, others face delays. For instance, the Aurora joint venture between Galp and Northvolt has postponed its Portuguese refinery to 2026 due to complexity and grant funding issues. Meanwhile, Tees Valley Lithium has secured £19.5 million in funding for its Wilton refinery, aiming to produce 96,000 tpa of lithium hydroxide, covering the UK’s EV demand by 2030 and exporting surplus to Europe.