Neptune Energy reports progress on lithium project in Altmark
Neptune Energy is preparing for lithium mining in Altmark starting in 2030 and making steady progress: In a new development phase, the company based in Hanover is now testing various adsorbent materials in what is known as Pilot Phase II with Fraunhofer IEG for potential future industrial use.
After evaluating various technologies for direct lithium extraction (Direct Lithium Extraction, or DLE), Neptune Energy is now working together with the Fraunhofer Institute for Energy Infrastructure and Geotechnologies IEG to develop an appropriate adsorption method for recovering lithium precursors from the deep-seated thermal water in Altmark. This major project is named ALE, standing for Altmark Lithium Extraction Project (ALE).
Through this project, Neptune Energy aims to contribute to the domestic supply of critical raw materials. Commercial lithium production is set to begin gradually starting in 2030. The goal is to produce up to 25,000 tons of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) per year by the 2030s. This amount corresponds to the lithium needed for batteries in around 500,000 electric vehicles per year, according to Neptune Energy.
Specifically, according to Neptune Energy, one of the world’s largest lithium resources tied to a single project is located in northern Saxony-Anhalt, with an estimated 43 million tons of lithium carbonate equivalent. The lithium is dissolved in thermal water at depths between 3,000 and 4,000 meters, distributed within the fine pore spaces of the rock. Neptune plans to extract the thermal water through drilling and then isolate the lithium using the DLE process.
"During pilot phase I last year, we evaluated various DLE technologies available worldwide for their suitability to the conditions in Altmark. After testing ion exchange and adsorption methods, adsorption technology showed the most promising results for the conditions in Altmark. We now intend to further develop this method together with Fraunhofer IEG," explains Joachim Sluet, Midstream Manager and responsible for pilot projects at Neptune Energy.
In Pilot Phase II, various adsorbent materials will be tested and evaluated over the coming months in different phases within a pilot plant for direct lithium extraction developed by Fraunhofer IEG. Adsorbents are designed to selectively adsorb lithium ions from hot water, meaning to draw them in. Lithium is then separated from the adsorbent (desorbed), resulting in a highly lithium-rich solution, lithium chloride. “This can be processed into battery-grade lithium carbonate or lithium hydroxide monohydrate in further steps — the raw material for Europe’s battery and electric mobility industry,” explain the project initiators about the process chain.
For the first testing phase, Evonik Catalysts was selected as the supplier of the adsorbent material. This material has proven to be stable and efficient in preliminary tests, according to Neptune Energy. Additionally, Evonik is supporting the pilot program with on-site expertise in applications and processes. The Evonik material is being tested in the aforementioned pilot plant, which enables lithium extraction without oxygen exposure with a processing capacity of up to 1,000 liters of thermal water per day. According to the project team, three adsorbent columns operating simultaneously allow for nearly simultaneous adsorption (binding) and desorption (releasing) of lithium ions.
Dr. Axel Wenke, Director of New Energy & Business Development at Neptune Energy, emphasizes: “Through the DLE pilot plant developed with Fraunhofer IEG, we gain valuable insights for selecting the optimal adsorbent material for the thermal water in Altmark. This brings us one step closer to industrial lithium production in this region.”
Neptune Energy describes itself as a commodities company with over 135 years of experience, including the companies it acquired in its history. In fact, the Erdöl Erdgas Gommern facility, taken over by a predecessor of Neptune Energy, has been producing natural gas in Altmark since 1969. While primarily focused on oil and gas extraction, Neptune Energy has diversified its business for some time now, including into domestic lithium production.