Canadian company Rock Tech Lithium has signed a memorandum of understanding with Chinese battery materials specialist Ronbay Technology to collaborate on the production of battery components in Europe. As part of the agreement, Rock Tech is set to supply battery-grade lithium hydroxide to Ronbayʼs European cathode production facility. Additionally, Ronbay is expected to provide technical resources and potentially invest directly in the Guben project.
24,000 tons of lithium hydroxide annually
Rock Techʼs planned lithium hydroxide refinery in Guben, located on the German-Polish border, is expected to produce approximately 24,000 tons of lithium hydroxide annually. This amount would be sufficient for more than 500,000 electric vehicles per year. The start of production is scheduled for 2026. The Ronbay cathode factory in Konin, Poland, which will be supplied by the Guben plant, was recently acquired from Johnson Matthey. Starting in 2026, the factory is expected to produce 25,000 tons of medium- to high-nickel ternary cathode materials annually. Construction of the facility and environmental testing have been completed, and equipment installation is scheduled for 2025.
Binding contracts could follow
The agreement between Rock Tech and Ronbay establishes an initial framework for further binding contracts. Both companies speak of mutual support and a desire for technological collaboration. No specific investment amounts or timelines beyond the projects already announced have been mentioned so far.
