Arverne launches construction of geothermal lithium demonstrator in Alsace, France
Diagram of lithium extraction from geothermal brine (source: Arverne Group)
Carlo Cariaga
21 Apr 2025
Arverne Group has launched the construction of a geothermal lithium demonstrator in Alsace, France to validate the company's lithium extraction process.
Arverne Group has announced the start of construction of the geothermal Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) demonstrator in the Bas-Rhin region of Alsace, France. The demonstrator aims to validate the lithium extraction process from geothermal brines in the Rhine Basin, optimizing yield, selectivity, and environmental impact.
Initiated in 2024 by studies and pre-orders, the construction of the demonstrator benefits from the support of BPI France, a project financed by the Government as part of France 2030 and financed by the European Union – Next Generation EU as part of the France Relance plan.
The equipment was designed in collaboration with DG SKID, a recognized expert in this field, following the pilot phase conducted by Lithium de France in the laboratories of Equinor in Norway, a long-standing partner of the Group and co-shareholder of Lithium de France. The demonstrator will be installed in Northern Alsace, on the first geothermal doublet, the start of which is planned for the coming months, subject to prefectural drilling authorization.
“The construction of the geothermal lithium extraction demonstrator marks a key step in the pre-industrial phase of our strategic project. We are continuing our roadmap to achieve, by 2031, an annual production capacity of 4 TWh of geothermal heat and 27,000 tonnes of geothermal lithium, a critical metal in the energy transition, meeting the growing needs of the electric mobility and energy storage markets,” said Pierre Brossollet, founder and CEO of Arverne Group.
The Arverne Group, through its Lithium de France subsidiary, had secured a lithium exploration license in the Bas-Rhin region in early 2024. A 3D seismic campaign commenced soon after, providing valuable subsurface information for the planned geothermal and lithium project.
Source: Arverne Group
