Vulcan

VULSORB®

To efficiently produce lithium from subsurface brine, Vulcan has developed its own in-house aluminate-based sorbent VULSORB® to capture the lithium before the brine is returned to the subsurface.

VULSORB®

Vulcan has successfully developed, tested, and demonstrated its own in-house lithium extraction sorbent VULSORB®. The aluminate-based sorbent shows higher performance and lower water consumption for lithium extraction compared to commercially available sorbents.

VULSORB®is synthesised via a standard 3–step process, highlightingVulcan’s strong passion for innovation and underscores its pioneering spirit.

Based on test results achieved, Vulcan decided to use a sorbent with lithium aluminate intercalate structure for the A-DLE process. VULSORB® uses and improves on the same A-DLE  technology that has been used commercially for over two decades, and currently accounts for 10% of global lithium production.

Learn more about A-DLE

VULSORB® Summary Presentation Q2, 2025

Vulcan is driving the future of sustainable lithium production. By combining environmentally friendly Adsorption-Type Direct Lithium Extraction with a renewable heat source, we achieve highly efficient, low-cost and carbon-neutral lithium production. With our proprietary lithium extraction technology VULSORB®, we optimise this process further.

Discover more about our sustainable approach in our latest VULSORB® Summary Presentation.

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Self-developed

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Naturally pre-heated brine

The main constituent of these sorbents is lithium chloride aluminate. These types of sorbents typically operate optimally at higher temperatures. In some commercial operations worldwide, gas is used to heat up the brine prior to lithium extraction. But Vulcan is taking advantage of the naturally pre-heated brine from the hot geothermal reservoir in the Upper Rhine Valley Brine Field, thereby reducing operating cost and removing the need for fossil fuels in the process, ultimately enabling a carbon neutral footprint for lithium production.
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Selectively extracted lithium

VULSORB® enables the lithium to be selectively extracted from the brine, providing a pure lithium chloride eluate which can then be converted to lithium hydroxide for use in lithium-ion batteries in the European cathode, battery, and automaker industries. VULSORB® belongs to a lithium extraction adsorbent family that has been used by different companies in multiple commercial production assets over the past 25 years and can be used with other brines, both in Europe and globally.
Vulcan CEO Cris Moreno who is holding up Lithiumchloride and VULSORB
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VULSORB® as first choice

Vulcan has selected VULSORB® as its first choice of sorbent for lithium production in its Lionheart commercial development. Our sorbent has the potential to be a technology asset for Vulcan beyond our phased growth ambitions in the Upper Rhine Valley.

Our activities

  • Optimisation plants in operation: Learn more here.
  • Technology selected in scoping work 2018-2020
  • Three years of in-house laboratory test work successfully completed 2021-2023
  • Technology de-risked on our brine chemistry at multiple producing well sites
  • 5000+ cycles in 2.5 years of stable, non-stop operation
  • Larger pilot plant P1A in operation since autumn 2022, with total 2000+ cycles of operation
  • Data from pilot plants used to optimise and complete engineering design for Definitive Feasibility Study and Bridging Phase.​

VULSORB®: Enabling sustainable lithium

Vulcan’s approach to lithium production creates a more sustainable and environmentally friendly solution: Adsorption-type Direct Lithium Extraction (A-DLE)

This method is as simple as it is proven. 
Uniquely, Vulcan utilises geothermal energy to drive the lithium extraction process. Geothermal heat has been used for years to generate renewable energy by bringing hot brine from underground to the surface, producing heat and power, and then returning the brine to the subsurface. As the brine is not only hot but also contains significant amounts of lithium, the metal is captured within the in-house developed sorbent VULSORB®,  before the brine is returned to the subsurface. This closed-cycle process not only produces lithium but also generates excess renewable energy, benefiting local communities.

By combining geothermal energy and A-DLE, Vulcan’s approach stands out with key environmental credentials. Legacy methods of lithium production consume large quantities of water and land, while Vulcan’s process is significantly more efficient in resource usage, consuming only 1.6 tonnes of water net of products, and 6m2 of land per tonne of lithium hydroxide produced. Learn more about our sustainability credentials.

In a world where automakers are actively seeking clean and sustainable sources of raw materials for lithium-ion batteries, Vulcan’s innovative approach offers a promising solution that aligns with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles. It represents a major step towards more sustainable and responsible lithium production for the growing electric mobility industry. Learn more about Adsorption-type – Direct Lithium Extraction.