Neptune Energy starts pilot phase for lithium extraction in the Altmark
Tests of available technologies until mid-2025
Hannover/Steinitz. Neptune Energy has started extracting lithium from brine in the Altmark at its site in Steinitz (Saxony-Anhalt). With this step, the company is starting the next phase of the lithium extraction project in Saxony-Anhalt that was announced in spring 2024. As part of a pilot phase lasting several months, various currently available technologies will be tested until mid-2025 in order to gain important insights for further project development. Lithium extraction in Germany can make an important contribution to the security of supply of raw materials.
The first step is a pilot facility from the French company Geolith. The company installed a demonstration unit at the end of October in Steinitz and operations have been running for a few days on site. The State Office for Geology and Mining had previously granted the necessary permits for the installation and operation of the pilot facilities in Altmark. Neptune Energy supplies brine from existing natural gas wells and uses Geolith’s ion exchange process to extract the lithium dissolved in the water. The intermediate product is a lithium chloride which is then converted into lithium carbonate and further refined by Neptune Energy in its own laboratory in Steinitz and by experts from Kellogg Brown & Root GmbH (KBR) in Bad Homburg. Earlier this year, KBR and Geolith entered an alliance to provide a sustainable end-to-end solution from untapped lithium sources to battery grade lithium salts.
„The start of the pilot phase marks another important milestone in our lithium project. Together with our partners, we are using our special knowledge to establish a location for a pioneering technology in the Altmark region and thus contribute to the energy transition and value creation in the region,“ explains Andreas Scheck, CEO of Neptune Energy.
-end-
For further information about the project partners please visit
Media contact
Stefan Brieske
Head of Communication and Public Affairs