Neptune Energy Launches Second Pilot Plant for Lithium Extraction from Brine
Hanover/Steinitz. Neptune Energy has commissioned its second pilot plant for lithium extraction from brine at its operations site in Steinitz, Saxony-Anhalt. Following approval by the mining authority, the company is testing various direct lithium extraction (DLE) technologies through multiple pilot projects, expected to run until the first quarter of 2026.
For the pilot projects, Neptune is using brine sourced from existing natural gas wells in the Altmark field. The dissolved lithium is extracted using ion exchange or adsorption processes. As early as the end of 2024, the company, in collaboration with French technology firm Geolith, successfully extracted lithium from geothermal water. Working with KBR Inc., the first lithium carbonate produced in the Altmark – with a purity of 99.9% – was manufactured for use in lithium-ion batteries.
“Through the different pilot projects, we are gaining valuable insights for further project development and identifying the most efficient technical solution for sustainable lithium production,” explains Andreas Scheck, Managing Director of Neptune Energy.
The technology for the second pilot is being provided by California-based company Lilac Solutions. Their mobile containerized system extracts lithium directly from the brine and then converts it into battery-grade lithium carbonate on-site in the Altmark. Construction of the new pilot plant was completed at the end of May, and test operations began in early June. The current pilot phase is scheduled to run until the end of July.
“We’re excited to work alongside Neptune to demonstrate that sustainable lithium can be produced in the Altmark,” said Raef Sully, Chief Executive Officer of Lilac Solutions. “We believe our technology has the potential to support future lithium production in Germany.”
Security of Supply for Critical Raw Materials
The Altmark is considered one of Europe’s most significant lithium deposits. Initial evidence dates back to geological surveys conducted during natural gas exploration in the 1970s. According to current expert estimates, the resource potential in the Altmark amounts to around 70 million tonnes of lithium carbonate. With commercial scaling, up to 25,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate could be produced annually – enough to supply battery material for approximately 500,000 electric vehicles each year. Lithium is a key raw material in the production of lithium-ion batteries and thus plays a vital role in electric mobility and the success of the energy transition.
“The Altmark combines geological potential, established infrastructure, and technical expertise – ideal conditions to make Germany less dependent on expensive raw material imports. We will produce lithium in the Altmark to ensure a secure, domestic supply of critical raw materials,” emphasizes Axel Wenke, Director of New Energy at Neptune Energy.
A just transition project for the Altmark
Neptune Energy has been active in natural gas production in the Altmark since 1969. Around 50 employees in the region are involved in gas production and the decommissioning of disused facilities. The existing infrastructure and decades of accumulated geological and technical knowledge are the key ingredients for the move towards sustainable lithium production.
“The Altmark is a prime example of transitioning from established industries to future-ready technologies – a true just transition project that creates new economic perspectives in a region with a long energy tradition,” Wenke adds.
About Neptune Energy and the Project
The Altmark is a region with a long-standing tradition in energy and raw materials. In 2024, Neptune Energy received a mining license in Saxony-Anhalt for the extraction of the mineral resource lithium. With direct lithium extraction from brine, Neptune Energy is pursuing an environmentally friendly approach – no open-pit mining, no evaporation ponds, and minimal land usage. Following the pilot phase, a demonstration phase is planned to test the use of an extraction plant as the next step toward commercial production. Neptune Energy still operates the Altmark gas field and produces oil and gas in different fields all across Germany.
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Maximilian Zindel, Spokesperson Communications and Public Affairs