In a pivotal move set to redefine Europe’s battery materials landscape, Rock Tech Lithium and Ronbay Technology formalised a strategic partnership in June 2025 through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This alliance aims to establish a fully integrated, cross-border lithium-ion battery supply chain, linking Rock Tech’s lithium processing operations in Guben, Germany with Ronbay’s cathode production facility in Konin, Poland. By creating this central European battery materials corridor, the two companies seek to significantly bolster localised production, enhance supply chain resilience, and reduce Europe’s reliance on Asian battery material imports.
Rock Tech’s Guben Converter project, already recognised as a Strategic Project under the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), is positioned to produce 24,000 tonnes of battery-grade lithium hydroxide annually from 2026 to 2027. This makes it one of Europe’s first full-scale lithium hydroxide production facilities and the only one in Germany capable of processing spodumene concentrate directly. The Guben facility’s output aims to supply lithium hydroxide sufficient for more than 500,000 electric vehicles (EVs) per year, meeting purity standards that exceed 99.5% Li₂OH·H₂O, critical for high-performance battery manufacturing.
Meanwhile, Ronbay Technology, a prominent global cathode active material (CAM) producer with strong European ambitions, is targeting an annual production of 25,000 tonnes of advanced mid- and high-nickel ternary cathode materials at its Konin plant by 2026. This facility was partly acquired from Johnson Matthey’s cathode division, illustrating Ronbay’s strategic commitment to expand its footprint in Europe. The partnership ensures a direct and efficient supply of lithium hydroxide from Guben to Konin, allowing for tighter integration between lithium processing and cathode material production. This proximity—approximately 230 kilometres—significantly cuts transportation distances and environmental impact compared to traditional supply chains relying on imports from Asia.
The MoU not only secures localised supply but also encompasses technical collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and investment exploration. Ronbay plans to provide engineering expertise to support the timely completion and commissioning of the Guben facility, leveraging its experience in operating cathode production plants. This technical partnership will facilitate optimisation of production processes, alignment of quality standards, and innovation acceleration. Additionally, both companies are exploring joint investment opportunities, with Ronbay indicating potential financial backing for Guben’s development.
This collaboration is especially impactful against the backdrop of Europe’s strategic push to build a resilient, sustainable battery manufacturing industry, as championed by the European Battery Alliance and reflected in the CRMA. By localising critical battery materials production, the partnership reduces Europe’s vulnerability to geopolitical disruptions, supply chain delays, and environmental compliance uncertainties tied to overseas sourcing. The Rock Tech-Ronbay alliance thus directly supports the EU’s ambitions to control more of the battery value chain domestically, from lithium extraction and processing through to cathode material manufacturing.
From an industrial perspective, the creation of this integrated battery materials corridor promises significant economic benefits for the Brandenburg region in Germany and Greater Poland, including the generation of hundreds of high-skilled jobs and development of advanced manufacturing expertise. It also provides European automakers with a more stable, reliable, and environmentally aligned supply of battery-grade materials, crucial for the rapidly growing electric vehicle market projected to reach substantial volumes by 2027.
However, the partnership must navigate challenges inherent to scaling up high-precision chemical production in Europe, such as complex regulatory approvals, environmental permitting, and technical hurdles in maintaining consistent product quality at commercial scale. Competition remains fierce against established Asian producers who benefit from larger scale economies and market incumbency. Yet, by leveraging local production advantages, shortened logistics, and integrated technical collaboration, Rock Tech and Ronbay aim to position Europe as a compelling alternative to the dominant Asian battery supply chains.
Alongside this alliance, Rock Tech Lithium has also consolidated its European footprint through a subsidiary merger with Arcore AG, adding lithium mining projects to enhance security of raw material inputs and further integrate the supply chain—a move underscoring the company’s commitment to establishing a fully-fledged European lithium industry from resource extraction to refined battery material production.
Complementing these developments, Rock Tech has also partnered with GEA Group AG to implement advanced crystallisation and zero-liquid discharge technologies in its Guben project, highlighting a strong focus on sustainable and efficient lithium processing methods.
In summary, the Rock Tech-Ronbay partnership is a landmark step towards achieving Europe’s battery industry ambitions, delivering localised, high-quality lithium hydroxide and cathode materials production capacity sufficient to support a significant share (approximately 15-20%) of Europe’s projected EV manufacturing output by 2027. The joint effort exemplifies how strategic cross-border collaboration can enhance supply chain resilience, drive innovation, reduce carbon footprints, and secure Europe’s position in the global clean energy transition.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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