Dr Tobias Elwert from Cylib then gave a presentation on “Lithium First: Advancing Sustainable Solutions For Industrial Scale Recovery”. After a brief introduction to Cylib – currently a pilot operation – he explained that the steps of unloading and dismantling precede further processing. Mr Elwert then discussed various methods of black mass processing to extract lithium. These include fly ash with water leaching, roasting with carbonation and bicarbonate leaching, hydrogen reduction with subsequent leaching, sulphur roasting with water leaching, oxidative leaching and reduction leaching. Upstream leaching is preferred. Roasting with carbonate is particularly promising.

Prof Dr Michael Rutz from Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences then introduced the topic of recycling LFP cathode material. He presented the ZirKat research project, which involves the companies K-UTEC, EAS, Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences and IBU-tec. The grinding time in the mechanical comminution process is crucial for the recovery efficiency of black mass. In the next step, various quantities of 5, 10 and 20% of the recycled material were mixed with “fresh” material. The effects of these mixtures were then investigated in the form of button cells. In hydrometallurgical processes for extracting lithium chloride from LFP batteries, iron can also be recovered as hydroxide, so that it can then be reused as a secondary raw material source.

Questions on this topic were discussed in the panel discussion which was complemented by Dr Adalbert Lossin (Aurubis) and Dr Nils Wieczorek (GRS Batterien Foundation). One important question that was discussed was how tolerable LFP recycling processes are in order to reuse recycled material for battery production. It was clear that there will never be 100 % purity when operating on a large technological scale. Another important point was the obligation to return used e-bike batteries, as these also have great potential for secondary battery raw materials. The role of China was also considered in this context. In this regard, it has become apparent that the carbon footprint and LCA issues are playing an increasingly important role. 

Session 2 | Turning Liabilities into Assets: Advances in By-product Valorization

The second session, chaired by David Algermissen (FEhS – Institute for Building Materials Research), began with Prof. Dr. Daniel Vollprecht (Augsburg University) discussing the importance of mineralogy in the waste management. After introducing the role of waste in value chains and how waste can be a secondary raw material, even without further processing, he highlighted the role of mineralogy in analyzing and recycling waste: 73% of all wastes are mineral waste, which interacts with the environment during disposal and recycling. Prof. Vollprecht presented two case studies from research: one aimed to recover critical metal from industrial wastewater and the other aimed at recycling lithium-ion battery slag using froth flotation. 

Next, Dr.-Ing. Jesko Gerlach (Holcim (Deutschland) GmbH) discussed low-CO₂ cements and explored different ways for the cement industry to achieve CO₂ neutrality by 2050, focusing on circularity. Along with CCUS (Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage), the greatest reduction in emissions will be achieved by modifying the cement composition, reducing clinker content. Potential alternative constituents mentioned included calcined clay, recycled concrete fines (which offer a CaO source without the need of carbonation), EAF and DRI-EAF slags, and carbonated minerals. Residues from the lithium value chain have potential but require further investigation. Dr. Gerlach concluded his presentation by saying, “The gray world of cements will become colorful.” 

The third and final talk of the session was given by Dr. Maria Gaudig and Dr. Andreas Neumann (ITEL – Deutsches Lithiuminstitut GmbH). Dr. Gaudig highlighted the importance of Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR), addressed common criticisms of carbon emissions compensation, and presented the current EU regulation CRCF on carbon credit certification. Dr. Neumann then presented a CDR strategy: accelerated carbonation of slags. He showed the results of experiments conducted by ITEL on how to optimize the process. This strategy not only has the potential to removing CO₂ from the atmosphere, but it also is a step towards zero waste, giving a use for slag waste. Furthermore, carbonating EAF slag could facilitate the recovery of certain metals. 

The session concluded with a panel discussion featuring Dr. Bernd Schultheis (K-UTEC AG Salt Technologies), Prof. Vollprecht, Dr. Gaudig and Dr. Neumann. They explored the economic and ecological considerations of mineral recovery and noted that materials once considered waste can become valuable resources over time. Other topics included tuning industrial thermochemical processes to optimize waste products for recycling, and the complicated balance of meeting regulatory requirements while also recovering valuable products in a viable and economical way. The discussion also touched on recovery methods in recycling processes, the potential mineral storage of carbon, regulatory considerations, and the need for clear standards in recycling technologies.

Session 3 | Lithium Extraction and Refining – Securing Europe’s Supply

The third session of LithiumDays focused on lithium extraction and refinement, as well as the question of how Europe can ensure a stable and sustainable supply of lithium. The speakers presented approaches and current projects from research and industry. 

Neil Elliot (Cornish Lithium Plc) started the programme by reporting on the lithium project in Cornwall. Cornish Lithium is pursuing two avenues: extraction from hard rock and from lithium-bearing geothermal sources. This combination offers opportunities to increase regional value creation while establishing more environmentally friendly processes. 

Dr Claudia Pudack (KBR) then presented a process for direct lithium extraction (DLE) from water using ion exchange. This technology can already be used at moderate temperatures between 20 and 80 °C. However, the process is still in the development phase. 

Anton du Plessis (Zinnwald Lithium Plc) provided an update on the Zinnwald lithium project in the German-Czech border region. Here, lithium is extracted from the mineral zinnwaldite (a lithium mica). The site benefits from good infrastructure and political support, but there are currently still issues with practical implementation and binding political decisions. 

Christian Melches (GEA Messo GmbH) highlighted the role of battery recycling. His presentation showed new approaches to recovering important metals from recycled slag. Since it is often difficult to extract individual elements separately, research is being conducted to determine whether certain metal compounds can be purified and recycled together. 

Finally, Dr Birgit Gerke (AMG Lithium GmbH) presented Europe’s first lithium hydroxide refinery. AMG does not focus on raw material extraction, but on the further processing of lithium hydroxide – a key step for European battery production. Despite numerous challenges posed by COVID-19, geopolitical crises and sharp price fluctuations, the company is sticking to the project and is confident that it will contribute to the development of European lithium value creation in the long term. 

In the concluding panel discussion, the projects and technologies presented were placed in a broader European context. There was agreement that innovation, cooperation and political support are crucial to securing Europe’s lithium supply in the long term.

Session 4 | Europe’s Lithium Strategy: Law, Policy, and International Trade Perspectives

The second day of the conference began with session 4, which focused intensively on the European lithium strategy and addressed industry-specific perspectives and the influence of regulatory frameworks in particular. 

Astrid Karamira from the International Lithium Association (ILiA) began by presenting a basic overview of the opportunities and challenges for lithium in Europe. She highlighted the sharp rise in demand for lithium up to 2040 as a driving factor in the market structure. Building on this, she discussed the causes and influence of the changed European regulatory framework. The electrification of mobility plays a significant role in the changed demand structure. In this context, the work of the ILiA was also presented. In addition to its central role as an industry representative and forum for cooperation and knowledge exchange, the ILiA is also making great efforts to promote sustainability and uniform standards in the global lithium industry. 

The second presentation of the session emphasised the dynamics outlined above from an industry perspective. Dr Xiaohan Wu (Porsche Consulting) posed the fundamental question of how Europe can win the global competition. There is a particularly large gap in the midstream sector of the value chain, as there is currently a lack of localisation in Europe and important investments are not being made. In order to explore not only the causes but also possible solutions, Dr Wu presented six key challenges associated with market entry in the midstream sector. For example, uncertain demand trends within Europe are a risk factor in the value chain that allows for various future scenarios. In addition, the regulatory framework imposes requirements on the market, with funding instruments in Europe playing only a minor role in international comparison. As a result, market participants are required to be globally competitive. Collaboration is the key strategy for successfully overcoming this challenge, with Dr Wu emphasising that the midstream sector needs to bring together a wide variety of components in order to master global competition. 

This was then complemented by Michael Schmidt‘s presentation, which focused intensively on the impact of the CRMA on industry and the lithium sector in Europe. After an initial introduction to DERA, Schmidt also began by outlining the current market situation. He addressed the ever-increasing geopolitical influence on the industry in Europe and used Chinese export restrictions as an example to illustrate why market concentration and dependence on China exist due to cost differences.
As a European response to the current global market structures in the raw materials sector, Schmidt then presented the EU’s CRMA, which currently needs to be implemented by the EU Member States. The EU member states have a crucial role to play in implementing the CRMA’s objectives at national level. However, this also challenges the importance of planning security for industry when initiating new projects and making investment decisions, as national differences in implementation are to be expected. In the same context, Schmidt presented strategic projects that form an integral part of the CRMA and also discussed possible funding instruments. However, it is important to recognise that the CRMA sets regulatory targets that send key market signals, but does not primarily aim to enable industry subsidies. Rather, OEMs need to be willing to take financial risks and invest in the industry. 

The concluding panel discussion between Michael Schmidt, Prof Dr Robert Frau (TU Bergakademie Freiberg), and Dr Peter Schuhmacher (Porsche Consulting) underscored the message of the session: Building European value creation in the lithium industry is crucial to securing Europe’s international competitiveness while strengthening the industry’s resilience to supply chain risks. The increasingly close interaction between regulation and industry once again highlights that overcoming complex challenges requires not only an innovative legal framework, but also a greater willingness on the part of industry to take risks and make investments in order to secure Europe’s position in global competition. 

Session 5 | Invest in Morocco – Bridging Continents: Building Strategic Partnerships for a Sustainable Future

The concluding expert session was chaired by Prof Dr Ralf Wehrspohn (ITEL) and opened by the German Ambassador to Morocco, His Excellency Robert Dölger, who joined via video link and spoke about the great potential for cooperation, which was also emphasised by the representative of the Moroccan Ambassador to Germany, Minister-Counsellor Abdelmonaim Acherki. This is because the two countries complement each other well, both in terms of resources and renewable energies and through similar economic structures, for example in the automotive industry or logistics, as well as in terms of scientific potential. 

Prof Dr Mouad Dahbi from Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) addressed the latter in his highly topical lecture on research and economic policy, focusing on the possibilities of a circular economy for LFP batteries. Dr Badr Iken, who chairs the Moroccan-German Economic Council, supplemented this with an excursion into the country’s green hydrogen strategy and highlighted the possibilities for joint projects.  

This was followed by a presentation from Marc Sonveaux (Prayon Technologies) on the topic of phosphogypsum, which is to be conditioned as a valuable product for the construction industry in the future.

The concluding panel discussion, which also featured Harald Schmitt (Knauf Gips KG), Christopher Skrotzki (HELM AG) and Hicham Guedira (Uranext S.A., a Moroccan mining company), explored these aspects in greater depth and made it clear that some aspects of the cooperation are already well underway. 

Acknowledgements