First European Funding after getting recognition as a 'Strategic Project' - Rock Tech receives funding to lead Lithium Refining Innovation project by EIT RawMaterials

Rhea-AI Summary

Rock Tech Lithium (RCKTF) has secured funding from EIT RawMaterials for its OLiVer project, aimed at innovating lithium processing technologies in Germany. The company will receive EUR 800,000 out of a total EUR 2.5 million grant to optimize its lithium conversion processes at the Guben Converter facility. This marks Rock Tech's first funding after being recognized as a strategic project under the Critical Raw Materials Project by the European Commission. The company will collaborate with key research partners including AdMiRIS, NTUA, and VITO to enhance lithium hydroxide monohydrate production from spodumene, focusing on improving extraction efficiency and reducing environmental impact through pilot-scale demonstrations.

Positive

• Secured EUR 800,000 in funding from EIT RawMaterials for lithium processing innovation
• Recognition as a strategic project under Critical Raw Materials Project by European Commission
• Partnership with leading research institutions for process optimization
• Potential for improved operational efficiency and cost benefits at Guben Converter

Negative

• None.

• EIT RawMaterials, supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, a body of the European Union has selected Rock Tech for funding to commercialize novel lithium processing technologies in Germany.
  
  
• Rock Tech will collaborate with leading research partners, including Advanced Minerals and Recycling Industrial Solutions (AdMiRIS), National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), and Vlaamse Instelling voor Technologisch Onderzoek NV (VITO).
  
  
• The project has been allocated a total funding of EUR 2.5 million of which Rock Tech will be receiving up to EUR 1 million to drive innovation and optimization work of its lithium conversion processes.

TORONTO, June 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Rock Tech Lithium Inc. (TSXV: RCK) (OTCQX: RCKTF) (FSE: RJIB) (the "Company" or "Rock Tech") is pleased to announce that it has been selected for funding under the prestigious KAVA (Knowledge and Innovation Activities) grant program by EIT RawMaterials, the most active network in the raw materials sector in Europe. This recognition supports Rock Tech's ongoing commitment to advancing innovative lithium refining solutions in Europe and is the first funding awarded after Rock Tech's Lithium Hydroxide Convertor Guben (LHCG) project has been recognized as a strategic project under Critical Raw Materials Project by the European Commission. Rock Tech will receive EUR 800,000 to improve and innovate its lithium conversion process to be applied to its Guben Converter in the future.

Under the KAVA Call-funding program, Rock Tech's Lithium subsidiary company Rock Tech Guben GmbH will collaborate with leading research and industry partners, including NTUA (Greece), VITO (Belgium), and Admiris (Greece), to optimize lithium extraction processes and enhance lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LHM) production from spodumene. Rock Tech believes this optimization work will create substantial future operational and cost benefits for the Guben Converter.

"We are honored to be selected for the KAVA Call funding and to work jointly with partners to commercialize innovative, potentially game-changing lithium processing technologies", comments Mirco Wojnarowicz, Rock Tech's CEO.

The selected project, named OLiVer (Hard rock Lithium Extraction and Purified Value Products for Energy Applications) will demonstrate innovative processes at pilot scale, significantly improving lithium recovery efficiency and reducing environmental impact in line with EU green transition goals. The OLiVer project will focus on four main objectives:

1. Optimizing pyro-hydro-metallurgical processing to enhance lithium extraction efficiency from spodumene.
2. Developing a novel secondary lithium sulfate recovery process, enabling improved lithium recovery rates.
3. Integrating primary and secondary lithium sulfate streams to boost overall LHM production yield.
4. Conducting pilot-scale demonstrations to establish commercial viability for the enhanced lithium extraction process.

With this project, Rock Tech aims to drive forward the EU's critical raw materials strategy and sustainability goals by producing high-purity LHM for electric vehicle batteries regionally.

ABOUT ROCK TECH 

Rock Tech's vision is to supply the electric vehicle and battery industry with sustainable, locally produced Lithium, targeting a 100% recycling rate. To ensure resilient supply chains, the company plans to build Lithium converters at the doorstep of its customers, beginning with the Company's proposed Lithium-Hydroxide Converter in Guben, Brandenburg, Germany. The second Converter is planned to be built in Red Rock, Ontario, Canada. Rock Tech Lithium plans to source raw material from its own Georgia Lake spodumene project in the Thunder Bay Mining District of Ontario, Canada, and procure from other ESG-compliant mines. Ultimately, Rock Tech's goal is to create a closed-loop Lithium production system. Rock Tech has gathered one of the strongest teams in the industry to close the most pressing gap in the clean mobility story. The Company has adopted strict environmental, social and governance standards and is developing a proprietary refining process to increase efficiency and sustainability further.

CAUTIONARY NOTE CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION Certain statements contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking information" under applicable securities laws and are referred to herein as "forward-looking statements". All statements, other than statements of historical fact, which address events, results, outcomes or developments that the Company expects to occur are forward-looking statements. When used in this news release, words such as "expects", "anticipates", "plans", "predicts", "believes", "estimates", "intends", "targets", "projects", "forecasts", "may", "will", "should", "would", "could" or negative versions thereof and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In particular, this press release contains forward-looking information pertaining to expectations concerning the Guben Converter, including the design and features of the Guben Converter, as well as the expected costs, capital expenditures, timing and outcomes thereof; statements regarding the Company's future plans, estimates, and schedules relating to the Guben Converter, including the anticipated timing of future activities taken in support of the development thereof; Rock Tech's potential financing arrangements; the expected funding under the KAVA grant program by EIT RawMaterials, the expected economic performance of the Guben Converter and anticipated production of battery-grade Lithium Hydroxide and related processing methods and innovation employed; the estimated capital and operating costs of the Guben Converter; the anticipated timing and outcomes of a final investment decision, construction activities and commissioning of the Guben Converter; statements regarding the Company's sustainability and ESG related goals and strategy, including the benefits and achievement thereof and future actions taken by the Company in relation thereto; expected regulatory processes and final outcomes; expectations regarding the electric vehicle industry, including the demand for and pricing of battery-grade Lithium Hydroxide and the benefits therefrom, and the development of political and regulatory frameworks especially in Germany and the European Union; Rock Tech's opinions, beliefs and expectations regarding the Company's business strategy, development and exploration opportunities and projects; and plans and objectives of management for the Company's operations and properties. Forward-looking statements by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements, including the risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed in the Company's most recent management's discussion and analysis and annual information form filed with the applicable securities regulators. No assurances can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, and the Company cautions the reader not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, nor does it assume any obligation to update or revise any of the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, changes in assumptions, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by applicable law.

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. 

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SOURCE Rock Tech Lithium Inc.

FAQ

What is the total funding amount received by Rock Tech Lithium (RCKTF) from EIT RawMaterials?

Rock Tech will receive EUR 800,000 out of a total project funding of EUR 2.5 million from EIT RawMaterials.

What is the OLiVer project by Rock Tech Lithium?

OLiVer is a project focused on optimizing lithium extraction from spodumene, developing secondary lithium sulfate recovery, integrating lithium sulfate streams, and conducting pilot-scale demonstrations for commercial viability.

Who are Rock Tech's research partners in the EIT RawMaterials funded project?

Rock Tech is collaborating with AdMiRIS, National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), and Vlaamse Instelling voor Technologisch Onderzoek NV (VITO).

What are the main objectives of Rock Tech's funded lithium processing project?

The project aims to optimize pyro-hydro-metallurgical processing, develop novel lithium sulfate recovery, integrate lithium sulfate streams, and demonstrate commercial viability through pilot-scale testing.

How will the EIT RawMaterials funding benefit Rock Tech's Guben Converter?

The funding will help optimize lithium conversion processes, potentially creating substantial operational and cost benefits for the Guben Converter facility.