Spain Awards €21mn to Bondalti’s Lithium Refinery Project

Bondalti’s Lifthium Energy

Spain has awarded Portuguese chemicals company Bondalti’s Lifthium Energy division €21 million to develop a low-emissions lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LHM) refinery in Torrelavega, northern Spain. This grant, part of the Perte Vec III funding initiative for the electric vehicle (EV) industry, is supported by the Next Generation EU recovery and resilience package. The Torrelavega refinery is set to be the first of three LHM production facilities planned across Spain and Portugal by Lifthium.

Lithium Hydroxide Monohydrate (LHM)

Innovative Low-Emissions Electrolysis Process

The refinery will utilize renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, to power an electrolysis process that transforms lithium carbonate and lithium chloride into LHM. This electrochemical route is expected to significantly reduce carbon emissions, cutting them by 50% when using primary lithium carbonate sources and up to 70% when using recycled sources like battery waste. The refinery will produce approximately 28,000 tons per year of LHM, with construction expected to begin in 2026 and completion anticipated in 2027.

Lifthium has already tested its electrolysis process extensively, with over 2,000 hours of testing on a pilot prototype and ongoing commercial-scale tests. The company aims to replicate the technology in a second 28,000 t/yr LHM refinery in Portugal before 2030, with plans to invest €400-500 million in the process.

The Torrelavega project is among the first to benefit from the €300 million Perte Vec III program, which is focused on supporting the EV battery value chain. Other recipients include auto parts manufacturer Gestamp and Renault, which will receive funding for EV battery production at their Valladolid plant.