Cleantech company Rock Tech Lithium has secured all the permits for its lithium refinery in Guben, Germany.

The approvals were issued by the Brandenburg State Office for the Environment after a comprehensive review process under the Federal Immission Control Act by the State Office for the Environment.

Rock Tech noted that its new refinery will have the capacity to produce 24,000t of battery-grade lithium hydroxide annually.

Rock Tech chairman and CEO Dirk Harbecke said: “This is an exciting day for Rock Tech. Not only have we received the full permits to operate our Converter in Germany, but also are we the first company in Europe to permit a full-scale lithium refinery – without any appeals to the project.

“This is testament to the great work of our team. I also would like to thank the Brandenburg authorities for their support and diligence.”

In March last year, Rock Tech Lithium received a partial licence for its lithium hydroxide conversion plant in Guben, Germany.

The licence was issued by the Licensing Authority South of the Brandenburg State Office for the Environment and allows the company to complete construction of all non-process buildings and site infrastructure.

It also approved the general plant layout and functions for the spodumene to lithium hydroxide conversion.

Last year in January, Rock Tech obtained approval to commence early construction work on its lithium converter in Guben.

The permission allowed the company to start essential groundwork and the construction of roads, offices and storage buildings.