Rock Tech receives research funding from German gov't

Executive Summary

• Rock Tech Lithium Inc. received approximately €250,000 from the German Federal Ministry for Research, Technology and Space to advance its ELiSePro lithium‑recovery project at the Guben converter site.
• The program will compare advanced ion‑separation technologies (nanofiltration, capacitive deionisation, lithium‑ion sieves) to reduce lithium losses and improve economic performance, with results targeted for immediate industrial application and patenting.
• This funding follows prior grants (€800,000 from EIT RawMaterials and CAD $388,000 from Ontario’s CMIF), underscoring Rock Tech’s strategic role under the EU Critical Raw Materials Act and its broader lithium‑processing roadmap in Germany and Canada.

Key Details

• Funding Amount: Approximately €250,000 (German government).
• Granting Agency: Bundesministerium für Forschung, Technologie und Raumfahrt (Federal Ministry for Research, Technology and Space).
• Project Name: ELiSePro – “efficient lithium recovery using selective processes.”
• Objective: Increase lithium yield in the Guben converter process; support Germany’s raw‑material independence.
• Collaborators: RWTH Aachen University (academic partner).
• Technologies Evaluated:
• Nanofiltration
• Capacitive deionisation
• Lithium‑ion sieves (lithium‑ion selective membranes)
• Evaluation Criteria: Economic and technological performance; focus on minimizing lithium losses.
• Outcome Plans: Direct implementation in the Guben converter, scientific publications, and patent filings.
• Strategic Context:
• Third government grant after €800k EIT RawMaterials KAVA program and CAD $388k Ontario Critical Minerals Innovation Fund (CMIF).
• Project designated as “strategic” under the EU Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA).
• CEO Quote: Mirco Wojnarowicz highlighted the funding’s role in advancing German/European battery industry know‑how, strengthening critical raw‑material supply security, and building sustainable value chains.

Notable Quotes

“This funding supports the technological advancement of the German and European battery industry – and even though it’s a relatively small amount, it’s an important step towards building additional know‑how for strengthening security of supply for critical raw materials and building sustainable value chains in Europe.” – Mirco Wojnarowicz, CEO, Rock Tech Lithium Inc.