Image of the president of Cantabria, María José Sáenz de Buruaga and the president of Bondalti, Joao de Mello.

Through SODERCAN, the Government of Cantabria has secured a total of 15 million euros from the European STEP (Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform) program for the green lithium battery project of Liftthium Energy in Torrelavega, representing an investment of some 500 million euros and creating 200 direct jobs.

The funding was secured with the support of the General Directorate of European Funds of the Ministry of Economy and Revenue, and has been approved by the European Commission. The funds will be part of the Programa Operativo de Cantabria, through a reprogramming mechanism of Fondos Feder de Cantabria, and destined for the lithium refining project linked to the deployment of electric vehicles by the Portuguese group lead by José de Mello.

The Minister of Industry, Employment, Innovation and Commerce of the Government of Cantabria and president of SODERCAN, Eduardo Arasti, has affirmed that this new line of assistance will “reinforce” Cantabria’s bid to be selected the site of the project.

The government also confirmed that it is “working together” with the company to secure new sources of funding such as PERTE VEC 4, regional incentives and the PERTE for decarbonisation.

Arasti expressed his satisfaction with this new source of funding because “it is more flexible in terms of time frames” than the PERTE VEC 3 which, he recalled, would require the Liftthium project in Torrelavega to be initiated “within a very tight schedule” to which the company “is unable to commit to for a number of reasons, including that the project is dependent on securing the biomass cogeneration project in Solvay”.

“Europe has understood the strategic importance of this project, which will contribute to the value chain of electric vehicles and the development of an independent European electric car industry” Arasti noted, insisting that the regional government “is continuing to work hand in hand” with the company in seeking sources of nuancing that fit the planning of the project, supposing a “large scale investment which will become an engine of economic growth in Besaya and the rest of the Cantabria”.

STEP PLATFORM

Last July, SODERCAN presented to the STEP (Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform) the LIFTHIUM project, the product of close collaboration between the company and the General Directorate for European Funds of the Government of Cantabria. The government offered a detailed report on how the project fully complied with the exacting requirements of the STEP program.

The European Commission created the STEP framework to support business investments in strategic and emerging technologies within the EU and their respective value chains, assigning some 1.5 billion euros in funding with the ai of reinforcing the long-term industrial independence and competitiveness of the EU.

The goal of the STEP program is to further the development of digital technologies, clean energy technologies and biotech while also stimulating economic growth by opening up new opportunities for business and reducing European dependence in strategic sectors.

The STEP accepted the Lifthium proposal, the only eligible project in Cantabria, agreeing with SODERCAN that the planned investment in Torrelavega fully meets the objectives of the STEP in contributing to the industrial and technological leadership of European Union, reducing and preventing future dependency, developing critical infrastructure at a European scale, increasing EU manufacturing capacity, consolidating supply-chain security and promoting positive cross-border exchanges within the internal EU market.

MILESTONE FOR THE EUROPEAN MARKET

In its proposal, SODERCAN underscored the importance of the construction of the first commercial plant for the processing of lithium hydroxide in Cantabria, with a total investment of 500 million euros. The project is a milestone for the European market, offering a unique solution that positions Europe at the forefront of innovation in the lithium value chain.

For the Government of Cantabria, the project not only responds to current environmental and technological challenges but also represents a decisive push in consolidating the region’s position as a player in the transition towards cleaner and sustainable mobility, providing the European Union with a competitive advantage in this area.

The Government also signalled to the STEP the importance of the project as a pioneering and multifaceted initiative in the production of lithium hydroxide, with an innovative approach that meets unique challenges in a highly demanding area of technological development where there is as yet limited industrial expertise.

The ultimate objective of the lithium refinery is to supply approximately one million automobiles a year powered by lithium batteries produced by Lifthium by 2030, promoting the decarbonisation of large industries in the region and contributing to enhancing their competitiveness in national, European and international markets.

The company will produce high-quality and sustainable refined lithium hydroxide from renewable sources and using technologically advanced and innovative processes using electrolysis with combined inversion.