First major project contract for Phase One signed with NESI

The contract agreement between the company and NESI will include services at the technology, process engineering, procurement contracting, and commissioning support stages of development. Under the terms of the agreement, NESI will be engaged at the Central Lithium Plant (CLP), located in Industrial Park Höchst, Frankfurt. NESI’s technology package includes NORSCAND® Electrolysers, with electrodes being provided by Permascand AB in Sweden, which are intended to allow for green power to be used to produce high purity, low-cost lithium hydroxide for the European battery electric vehicle (EV) market.

The signing of the contract follows the successful energisation by NESI of the company’s 100% owned Central Lithium Electrolysis Optimisation Plant (CLEOP) in November 2024, producing the first lithium hydroxide fully domestically produced in Europe. It also follows basic engineering completed with NESI and payments made on long lead items to further accelerate the schedule. The significance of the contract signing is reflected in the Joint Declaration of Intent signed between Germany and Canada last week, which is designed to deepen co-operation to secure critical mineral supply chains.

By partnering with Germany, Canada will boost domestic investment while accelerating the clean energy transition. The company is aiming to finalise additional major project contracts in the coming weeks, final project financing agreements thereafter, and commence full project construction in H2 2025.

Vulcan Energy’s Managing Director and CEO, Cris Moreno, commented: “The signing of the contract with NESI is an important step ahead of the construction of our Central Lithium Plant.

“Our partnership with NESI to date has been key to our success at CLEOP, and its technology is a global leader in producing lithium hydroxide through electrolysis.

“This is yet another milestone in our aim to deliver a local, low-cost source of sustainable lithium for European EV batteries.”

NESI CEO, Jeremy Moulson, commented: “We are proud to again be partnering with Vulcan given the significance of the project and position it holds in delivering green lithium for EV batteries in Europe.

“We have strong alignment with Vulcan in that we both demand quality in our product and processes, and we both have an unwavering commitment to sustainability.

“We are looking forward to further contributing our technology and expertise to such an important project and further strengthening our partnership.”

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/mining/12092025/first-major-project-contract-for-phase-one-signed-with-nesi/