- ABB appointed as main electrical contractor for Phase One of Vulcan Energy’s Lionheart Project in Germany.
- Integrated power solutions will enable safe, efficient and reliable power for one of Europe’s first renewable lithium production facilities.
- Project to produce 24,000 tons of lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LHM) per year, supporting the region’s growing battery and electric vehicle supply chain.
ABB has been selected by Vulcan Energy to deliver the complete electrical infrastructure for its Phase One Lionheart Project in the Upper Rhine Valley, Germany. Combining renewable energy generation with lithium extraction and processing, the development will generate battery-quality LHM for the European electric vehicle market.
Lionheart will have the capacity to produce 24,000 tons of lithium hydroxide monohydrate, enough for ca. 500,000 electric vehicles per annum, in addition to 275 GWh of power and 560 GWh of heat.
Under three contracts totaling €46 million, ABB will serve as the main electrical contractor for the Lionheart Project, responsible for the design, engineering, manufacture, testing and delivery of electrical systems. The contracts cover ABB technology powering the Lithium Extraction Plant in Landau, the Central Lithium Plant in Frankfurt’s Industriepark Höchst, and the surrounding well sites. This includes the full electrification scope from high-, medium- and low-voltage distribution and transformers to drives, uninterruptible power supplies and protection equipment. Together, these systems will provide a stable, efficient flow of electricity from the 110 kV grid through to each process and building-level operation.
This appointment builds on a Memorandum of Understanding between the two companies, signed in April 2024 to streamline engineering and strengthen project delivery by optimizing design, supply and cost performance. Under the contracts, the combination of ABB’s expertise in electrification and Vulcan Energy’s renewable lithium process will help to establish Europe’s first fully integrated renewable lithium operation.
“The Lionheart Project is a blueprint for how clean energy and advanced electrification go hand in hand,” said Björn Jonsson, Global Business Line Manager, Mining & Materials, ABB’s Process Industries division. “We are building the foundations for a stronger European battery supply chain, helping to meet growing demand for electric vehicles at a crucial point in the transition to clean mobility.”
Attendees taking part in the Vulcan Energy groundbreaking on site in Germany. Image Vulcan Energy 
Aerial view of the Landau region in Germany, where Vulcan Energy's Lithium Extraction Plant (LEP) is located. Image Vulcan Energy 
Aerial view of Frankfurt Industrial Park Höchst, home to Vulcan Energy's Central Lithium Plant (CLP). The industrial site provides infrastructure for processing lithium hydroxide for the European electric vehicle market. Image Infraserv GmbH & Co. Höchst KG. 
ABB's Process Industries division colleagues (from left) Said Rokhzan, Global Business Development Manager, Joachim Braun, President, and Andreas Martin, Sales Team Leader. Image Vulcan Energy 
The Schleidberg well site, part of Vulcan Energy's geothermal operations in the Upper Rhine Valley. The drilling rig accesses deep geothermal resources that provide both renewable energy and lithium-rich brine for extraction. Image Vulcan Energy
“ABB’s expertise and systems give us the certainty to scale efficiently,” said Cris Moreno, Managing Director and CEO at Vulcan Energy. “Together, we are establishing a robust model for industrial lithium production to meet market momentum while enabling battery supply chain decarbonization at scale. We are excited to advance our shared vision with ABB of a low-carbon future that’s powered by renewable energy and smart electrification.”
The signing of the contracts is a condition precedent to financing, which the Company is targeting to finalize, together with additional project and financing agreements, in Q4 2025.
ABB is a global technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. By connecting its engineering and digitalization expertise, ABB helps industries run at high performance, while becoming more efficient, productive and sustainable so they outperform. At ABB, we call this ‘Engineered to Outrun’. The company has over 140 years of history and around 110,000 employees worldwide. ABB’s shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ABBN) and Nasdaq Stockholm (ABB). www.abb.com
ABB’s Process Automation business automates, electrifies and digitalizes industrial operations that address a wide range of essential needs – from supplying energy, water and materials, to producing goods and transporting them to market. With its ~20,000 employees, leading technology and service expertise, ABB Process Automation helps process, hybrid and maritime industries outrun – leaner and cleaner. go.abb/processautomation
