Rock Tech Announces Estimated €50 Million Reduction in Capital Expenditures for Guben Lithium Converter

Rhea-AI Summary

Rock Tech (OTCQX: RCKTF) announced an estimated €50 million reduction in capital expenditure for the fully permitted Guben Lithium Converter, lowering the CapEx estimate from €730 million to €680 million (≈6.9%) as of Oct 23, 2025.

Key drivers include €22m in optimized plant design, €7m from adjusted storage, €14m process optimizations, €16m updated supplier estimates and €3m contingency cuts, partially offset by €12m higher owner's costs. Together with a modelled 23% OpEx reduction (from ≈€5,033 to ≈€3,878 per tonne), management says competitiveness and financing readiness are improved. Rock Tech signed a non-binding MoU with Sichuan Calciner Technology for potential engineering collaboration and confirmed it has terminated the Arcore joint venture and will cease Bosnia and Herzegovina activities to focus on Guben.

Positive

• Modeled OpEx reduction of 23% (≈€5,033 to ≈€3,878 per tonne)
• Estimated CapEx reduction of €50M (from €730M to €680M)

Negative

• Net savings partly offset by €12M increased owner's and other costs
• CapEx reduction is 6.9%, below typical double‑digit materiality thresholds

• Targeted optimizations are expected to reduce the estimated total capital expenditures ("CapEx") for the lithium refinery converter in Guben, Brandenburg (the "Guben Lithium Converter" or the "Project"), from €730 million to €680 million.¹
• Together with the modeled 23% reduction in operating expenditures ("OpEx") disclosed on September 17, 2025 (the "OpEx News Release"), management believes the CapEx and OpEx reductions will enhance the Project's international competitiveness and improve its financing readiness.
• Rock Tech has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (the "MoU") with Sichuan Calciner Technology ("SCT") regarding potential engineering collaboration.
• Rock Tech provides update on Arcore AG Merger.

TORONTO, Oct. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Rock Tech Lithium Inc. (TSXV: RCK) (OTCQX: RCKTF) (FWB: RJIB) (WKN: A1XF0V) (the "Company" or "Rock Tech") is pleased to announce, further to the OpEx News Release, another significant milestone in the development of the fully permitted Guben Lithium Converter on the German-Polish border. Following a comprehensive design and procurement review, management now estimates the CapEx for commissioning the facility at approximately €680 million, compared to the prior estimate of €730 million, representing a net reduction of approximately €50 million (approximately 6.9%). Together with the previously announced modelled OpEx reductions of approximately 23%, management believes these changes will improve the Project's competitiveness, positioning Rock Tech as an internationally competitive player in lithium refining and improving the financing basis for the strategic EU raw materials project.

"The combination of modelled operating cost reductions and estimated capital cost savings will fundamentally change the business case for Guben," explains Henrik Wende, Managing Director of Rock Tech Guben GmbH. "With potential production costs that position us competitively in the international market and simultaneously reduced investment expenditures, we would increase the economic viability of the project. To complete the financing of the Project, these optimizations are decisive factors that we expect to significantly improve our position."

Estimated CapEx Reduction Through Targeted Optimizations

The estimated cost reduction is the result of a comprehensive review of all project components and targeted adjustments in several areas:

• Optimized Plant Design: Through targeted adjustments in various areas, such as packaging systems, facade elements, the emission measurements, truck scales, or parts of the piping construction, the Company expects to save approximately €22 million, reducing the original estimate of €62 million to approximately €40 million.
• Adjusted Storage Capacities: On-site storage for raw materials, reagents (chemical auxiliaries), and residual materials is expected to be reduced in line with the new logistics concept. Costs in this category are expected to decrease from €35 million to €28 million – a saving of €7 million.
• Process Optimizations: Through changes in process technology that are compatible with permit requirements – for example, for intermediate buffers or individual process stages – the Company expects to save an additional €14 million, reducing the original estimate of €88 million to €74 million.
• Updated Supplier Estimates: Through revised procurement requirements with suppliers and the expansion of procurement sources, potential savings of around €16 million have been identified, reducing the original estimate of €597 million to €581 million.
• Contingency: Additionally, expenses for contingencies were adjusted from €60 million to €57 million – a further estimated saving of €3 million.

These gross savings of approximately €62 million are partially offset by an estimated €12 million of increased costs in other categories including owner's costs (costs which are necessary to make the plant operational) resulting in a net estimated reduction of €50 million.

Further Optimizations Planned – Competitiveness Sustainably Strengthened

The "Owner's Costs" – expenses for establishing the operational readiness of the facility – and other external costs are currently the focus of further optimization. Rock Tech expects additional savings potential in these areas by optimized plant design. Furthermore, Rock Tech expects additional saving opportunities upon Project implementation with an external solutions provider and EPCM² partner, Worley, detailed engineering and optimization of the sourcing strategy.

As noted in the OpEx News Release, Rock Tech modelled a 23% reduction in OpEx – reduction from approximately €5,033 to €3,878 euros per tonne of lithium hydroxide. Production costs are therefore expected to decrease significantly, which is expected to strengthen the international competitiveness of the Guben converter.

Non-Binding MoU with Sichuan Calciner Technology

In connection with the CapEx optimization program, Rock Tech has signed a non-binding MoU with SCT for a potential collaboration on engineering and process optimization for the Guben Lithium Converter.³

The MoU was signed during a high-level business delegation visit to Berlin which included representatives from Sichuan province, CAO Lijun, Member of the Standing Committee of the Sichuan Provincial Party Committee, and Party Secretary of the Chengdu Municipal Party Committee. Chengdu is considered the center of advanced battery production. The delegation met with selected representatives of the German industry, including, amongst others and Rock Tech, Danone Germany, Dreame Technology, Deutsche Messe AG, and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Germany.

SCT is a globally recognized engineering expert in the field of lithium refining plants and a founding member of the International Lithium Association. The company operates as a service provider for technologies and plants for cathode materials and has realized many operational production lines for lithium battery materials in China. SCT is specialized in providing engineering design, process technology, procurement, construction and commissioning services. SCT has designed and built over 60 lithium convertor trains of lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide globally and developed proven proprietary process technology, know-how and equipment

"Should the partnership advance on mutually agreeable terms, the Company will gain access to SCT's comprehensive expertise in lithium processing," explains Mirco Wojnarowicz, CEO of Rock Tech. "This potential cooperation could support us in efficiently advancing our project in Guben and benefiting from proven processes. Particularly in the pyro-metallurgical area, we see further potential for optimizing our investment costs through collaboration with SCT in the area of plant design and sourcing."

SCT's CEO Jeremy Chang says: "We are delighted to be working with the experienced team from Rock Tech and be able to bring value to the project. SCT can bring expertise and experience in the industry to improve the safety, reliability, and economics of the plant. This collaboration reflects the growing global momentum in decarbonization and electrification and could help establish battery and electric vehicles industry in Germany."

Update on Merger with Arcore AG

Further to the Company's news releases dated July 7 and February 20, 2025, Rock Tech intends to cease its activities in Bosnia and Herzegovina and has terminated the previously contemplated joint venture with Arcore for the extraction of lithium-bearing ore, in order to prioritize capital and management attention on the Guben Lithium Converter, the Company's core project, and other related strategic initiatives.

About the Guben Converter

The Guben Lithium Converter is a pioneering facility in Guben, Brandenburg, Germany, by the German-Canadian company Rock Tech Lithium Inc. This fully permitted refinery is one of Europe's first commercial lithium facilities and is aiming to produce 24,000 tonnes of battery grade lithium hydroxide annually (equivalent to approximately 30 GWh of battery capacity) – enough, based on an average consumption of 0.8kg per kWh and 60 kWh per EV, to supply batteries for approximately 500,000 electric vehicles per year.⁴

Strategically located near major automotive and battery manufacturing hubs the Guben Converter is designed to strengthen Europe's battery supply chain by processing spodumene concentrate secured via leading trading partner C&D Logistics (Qingdao) Co., Ltd. The Converter will utilize advanced crystallization technologies, supplied by GEA Group AG, to ensure high-purity lithium production with minimal environmental impact. Global professional services company, Worley, has been selected as EPCM-partner for the plant.

Recognized as a strategic project under the EU's Critical Raw Materials Act^5, the Guben Converter underscores Europe's commitment to securing essential materials for the energy transition. The project is expected to create approximately 200 jobs and represents a significant step toward regionalizing and decarbonizing the lithium supply chain in Europe.

On behalf of the Management

Mirco Wojnarowicz
CEO, Rock Tech Lithium Inc.

ABOUT ROCK TECH

Rock Tech is enabling the battery age by making the battery industries in Europe and North America more independent and competitive. The Company's goal is to ensure the supply of high-quality, locally produced lithium – supporting a resilient, sustainable, and transparent value chain from mine to battery-grade material.

Rock Tech relies on responsible sourcing, state-of-the-art and proven technologies, and a clear focus on circular economy principles. The Company's lithium hydroxide converter projects in Guben, Germany (24,000 tonnes LHM per year) and Ontario, Canada (up to 36,000 tonnes LCE per year) form the foundation for a stable and regional supply to the battery and automotive industries. The Guben converter has been recognized as a strategic project under the EU Critical Raw Materials Act.

The raw materials for Rock Tech's converter projects are sourced exclusively from verifiably ESG-compliant suppliers. In Canada, Rock Tech relies, among other sources, on its wholly owned Georgia Lake Project, which ensures a stable and sustainable supply for the North American market and is being developed in close partnership with local Indigenous communities. By integrating recycled materials, the company aims to close the local battery loop.

With its facilities, Rock Tech makes a central contribution to battery-grade material sovereignty and the achievement of climate targets. The company works in partnership with industry, policymakers, and community groups, and is committed to open communication and the highest environmental standards.

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 news release contains forward-looking information pertaining to: the anticipated reduction in CapEx for the Guben Lithium Converter and the underlying assumptions supporting the updated financial model, including projected savings from plant design adjustments, storage capacity changes, process optimizations, supplier negotiations, and contingency adjustments and the netting of gross savings against offsetting increases in other categories; the timing and outcome of the Company's review of Owner's Costs and other external cost categories, and the potential for further cost reductions during engineering and procurement phases and during implementation with the Company's EPCM partner Worley Ltd.; the expected benefits of the non-binding MoU with SCT, including potential collaboration on engineering and process optimization; the impact of the cost optimizations and the OpEx update on the Project's economics, competitiveness and financing readiness, and the Company's ability to secure project financing on acceptable terms; the anticipated construction timeline, commissioning, and operational start-up of the Guben Lithium Converter; the Company's intended cessation of activities in Bosnia and Herzegovina related to the previously contemplated joint venture with Arcore, including the expectation that no material financial obligations will arise from ceasing such activities; the Company's broader business strategy, including its role in Europe's battery supply chain and contribution to the energy transition. Forward-looking information is based on certain assumptions, estimates, expectations and opinions of the Company and, in certain cases, third party experts, that are believed by management of Rock Tech to be reasonable at the time they were made. Forward-looking information is derived utilizing numerous assumptions regarding, among other things: that projected CapEx reductions will be realized as anticipated and will not be offset by unforeseen cost increases; the successful execution of design changes, logistics concepts, procurement strategies (including updated supplier quotations), and process optimization steps consistent with permit requirements; the availability, performance and timing of EPCM services from Worley Ltd. and other contractors and vendors; the availability and terms of definitive agreements with SCT and other strategic partners; the accuracy and stability of technical parameters, throughput, recoveries and other engineering inputs used in the models; the timely completion of detailed engineering and procurement activities; the Company's ability to secure sufficient financing on acceptable terms; the availability of skilled labor, equipment, and materials at projected costs; the stability of commodity prices, exchange rates, and general economic conditions; the absence of material disruptions to supply chains, construction schedules, or permitting processes; the accuracy and reliability of technical data, forecasts, and engineering studies. The foregoing list is not exhaustive of all assumptions which may have been used in developing the forward-looking information. While Rock Tech considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available, they may prove to be incorrect and should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including but not limited to: the risk that projected CapEx reductions are not achieved or are offset by unforeseen cost increases; delays or failures in securing definitive agreements with SCT or other strategic partners; construction delays, cost overruns, or technical challenges in commissioning the Guben Lithium Converter; risks related to the cessation of activities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including potential counterparties' claims or unforeseen financial obligations; changes in market conditions, including lithium prices, demand for EV batteries, and availability of financing; regulatory risks, including delays in permitting or changes in applicable laws and regulations; operational risks, including supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, and equipment failures; geopolitical risks, inflationary pressures, and macroeconomic volatility; reliance on third-party contractors and suppliers for critical project components. Except as may be required by law, Rock Tech undertakes no obligation and expressly disclaims any responsibility, obligation or undertaking to update or to revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, to reflect any change in Rock Tech's expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such information is based. The forward-looking information contained herein is presented for the purposes of assisting readers in understanding Rock Tech's plans, objectives and goals and is not appropriate for any other purposes.

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.  

_________________________ 1 All amounts in euros (€) unless otherwise noted. 2 Engineering, Procurement, Construction Management 3 The MoU is subject to identification of scope of work and does not create binding obligations; any transaction remains subject to negotiation of definitive agreements and customary approvals. There can be no assurance that such definitive agreements will be concluded. 4https://www.lithium-battery-manufacturer.com/how-much-lithium-is-needed-for-a-1-kwh-battery/ 5 Please see the Company's news release dated March 26, 2025 for more information.

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SOURCE Rock Tech Lithium Inc.

FAQ

What CapEx change did Rock Tech announce for the Guben Lithium Converter (RCKTF) on Oct 23, 2025?

Rock Tech estimated a €50 million CapEx reduction, lowering the estimate from €730M to €680M (≈6.9%).

How much did Rock Tech model OpEx will decrease for Guben (RCKTF)?

The company modelled a 23% OpEx reduction, from about €5,033 to €3,878 per tonne of lithium hydroxide.

What caused the estimated €50M CapEx savings for Rock Tech's Guben project (RCKTF)?

Savings stem from design optimizations (€22M), storage reductions (€7M), process optimizations (€14M), updated supplier estimates (€16M) and contingency cuts (€3M), partly offset by €12M higher owner's costs.

What is the significance of the MoU between Rock Tech and Sichuan Calciner Technology for Guben (RCKTF)?

The non‑binding MoU could provide access to SCT engineering and process expertise to support plant design, sourcing and potential further cost optimization.

Did Rock Tech change its plans with Arcore AG or Bosnia operations (RCKTF)?

Yes. Rock Tech terminated the previously contemplated joint venture with Arcore and intends to cease activities in Bosnia and Herzegovina to prioritize the Guben project.

Will the CapEx and OpEx changes improve financing prospects for Guben (RCKTF)?

Management states the combined estimated CapEx and modelled OpEx reductions should improve the project's international competitiveness and financing readiness.