Eramet and Électricité de Strasbourg (ÉS) announced their collaboration by signing an exclusive memorandum of understanding with a view to jointly studying the development of lithium production in Alsace from geothermal brine. The envisaged production, of around 10,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate per year, could commence by the end of the decade. Eramet and ES have previously collaborated for several years.

As part of the EUGeLi European research project launched in 2020, the two partners carried out experiments in the geothermal wells operated by ÉS at its two operating geothermal power plants in Soultz-sous-Forêts and Rittershoffen, in northern Alsace. Eramet's innovative Direct Lithium Extraction process has proven its efficiency – a world first using an Alsatian geothermal source – and enables local and sustainable lithium production with high yields and efficiency. Eramet, a French mining and metallurgical group, and ÉS, an Alsatian energy company and producer of local renewable energy, deepen their cooperation through a memorandum of understanding with the objective to eventually operate a geothermal lithium extraction, refining and production capacity.

Within the framework of this partnership, ÉS will bring its knowledge of the geology of the North Alsatian territory and its subsoil, its expertise in the sustainable production of high-temperature geothermal energy, its know-how in electricity and heat marketing, and its historical roots in Alsace. Eramet will bring its a unique and innovative Direct Lithium Extraction process previously developed for its Centenario project in Argentina, as well as its know-how in the extraction, refining, production and marketing of lithium, a critical metal for the energy transition and the manufacture of electric batteries. Eramet and ÉS envisage an annual production of approximately 10,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate.

This 100% French production corresponds to the needs of approximately 250,000 electric vehicle batteries per year. It could start before the end of the decade if the partners make the Final Investment Decision, which would take place within four years. This project would also make it possible to produce decarbonised geothermal energy and would contribute to the economic development and energy transition of the Alsace region.