Vulcan Energy Resources signed a Term Sheet agreement with Nobian GmbH (Nobian) for the formation of a 50/50 joint venture over, and equity financing of, Vulcan’s Central Lithium Plant (CLP), which forms part of Vulcan’s Zero Carbon Lithium Project. The strategic partnership is subject to the parties entering into definitive agreements, which are targeted to be completed within 10 weeks from the date of the term sheet.
The planned CLP is contained within a Joint Venture Special Purpose Vehicle known as SPV2. As part of its project financing, Vulcan has split Phase One of its integrated 24,000tpy Lithium Hydroxide Monohydrate (LHM) and renewable energy project into two separate Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs):
SPV1 includes the plant and infrastructure associated with the production of renewable energy and lithium chloride (LiCl) and includes land, wells, pipelines, geothermal and lithium extraction plants. SPV1’s output includes renewable energy and LiCl, the latter which is sold to SPV2. SPV2 includes the CLP which converts LiCl into LHM, with a by-product of HCl.LHM will be sold to the Vulcan parent company which will then distribute it to Vulcan’s offtakers.
Nobian has a strong pedigree in chlor-alkali operations and a heritage stretching back more than 100 years. Its first chlor-alkali electrolysis plant in Bitterfeld was started up in 1894. Nobian is a European leader in the production of salt, essential chemicals and energy solutions for industry and has a deep and long-standing expertise in crystallization, electrolysis, and the production of chlor-alkali products.
Through the proposed strategic partnership both parties seek to leverage both Nobian’s deep and long-standing experience in industrial crystallization and electrolysis and operating chlor-alkali plants, as well Vulcan’s Zero Carbon Lithium Project, which uses chlor-alkali type electrolysis cells to produce lithium hydroxide.
Nobian has existing production sites in the Netherlands, Denmark and Germany, including at the same site as Vulcan’s planned CLP, at the Hoechst Chemical Park, providing additional synergies.
The Term Sheet builds on and reflects 15 months of collaboration between Nobian and Vulcan. Proposed contributions, valuation and key terms The Term Sheet provides that, subject to execution of Definitive Agreements for the Transaction and the satisfaction of other conditions, Nobian shall contribute €161 million in cash as equity to fund CAPEX for the CLP, to acquire 50% of the SPV2 Joint Venture, on the basis of an agreed pre-money valuation of €322 million for the CLP SPV2.
By adapting existing technologies to efficiently extract lithium from geothermal brine, Vulcan aims to deliver a local source of sustainable lithium for Europe, built around a net zero carbon strategy with strict exclusion of fossil fuels. Already an operational renewable energy producer, Vulcan will also provide renewable electricity and heat to local communities.
Source: Battery Industry
