Germany Emerges as Europe’s Lithium Hub with New Strategic Projects

On 9 October 2026, the European Commission unveiled its second list of strategic projects under the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), selecting 46 initiatives from 102 applications across 16 member states. These projects, which require approximately €21 billion in investments, include 19 focused on recycling, 11 on processing, 8 on extraction, and 8 integrated projects. This move brings the total number of supported strategic projects in the EU to 106, with expedited approval processes for extraction projects capped at 27 months and assistance in financing and buyer sourcing. Notably, Germany leads the way with eight projects, highlighting a clear focus on the battery value chain. Among these, seven projects are related to lithium, 12 to nickel, and 10 to cobalt. The ITEL – Deutsches Lithiuminstitut GmbH expressed satisfaction with the strong representation of its shareholders and partners in these initiatives. Key projects include Neptune Energy’s Altmark Lithium Extraction, which aims to produce lithium from thermal water at depths of up to 4,000 meters, targeting an annual output of 25,000 tonnes by 2030. Additionally, AMG Lithium GmbH plans to establish Europe’s first lithium hydroxide refinery capable of processing recycled lithium, while Zinnwald Lithium GmbH will focus on integrated extraction and processing from hard rock in the Ore Mountains. The landscape is further complemented by recycling efforts such as cylib’s battery recycling project in Dormagen, marking the establishment of a complete European lithium chain in Central Germany—from mining through refining and conversion to recycling.