E.ON and Imerys inaugurate landmark energy recovery plant in Willebroek. New 29 MW installation recovers energy from industrial off-gas, supplying the Imerys site and feeding surplus electricity equivalent to the annual consumption of 40,000 households into the Belgian public grid through industrial energy valorisation. Willebroek, July 2 2026 - As Europe accelerates its transition to electric mobility, E.ON Power Plants Belgium and Imerys Graphite & Carbon (IGC) today officially inaugurated a state-of-the-art Energy Recovery Plant at Imerys' production site in Willebroek. The inauguration ceremony was honoured by the presence of Jean-Luc Crucke, Minister of Mobility, Climate and Ecological Transition, who attended the official opening of the plant. Built, owned, and operated by E.ON, the facility captures the energy content of industrial syngas - which contains high concentrations of hydrogen and carbon monoxide - and converts it into electricity via a high-efficiency steam turbine. With an installed power generation capacity of up to 29 MW, the plant supplies the entire Imerys site and feeds surplus power equivalent to the annual consumption of roughly 40,000 households into the Belgian public grid. A landmark in industrial energy recovery and valorisation. Imerys' Willebroek site is the world's leading production facility for high-purity carbon black. This conductive additive is a crucial component for lithium-ion batteries in cars and energy storage systems. Additionally, it serves as a core component in high-performance polymers for electric vehicles, power cables, and energy storage. While the carbon black production process inherently generates syngas, E.ON's new plant efficiently captures and valorises this energy stream, converting it into electricity through a high-efficiency steam turbine: a textbook example of industrial energy valorisation, delivering tangible benefits for the local community, and by generating power locally, which otherwise would have been produced by other sources. The installation also includes an advanced flue gas treatment unit with DeNOx and DeSOx systems - the best available emissions control technology to reduce NOx (nitrogen oxide) and SOx (sulphur oxide) emissions in compliance with EU regulations - setting a new standard for air quality management at an industrial scale and further reinforcing Imerys' commitment to its local environment and community. Key figures. * 29 MW installed electrical capacity - supplying the Imerys site and surplus electricity fed into the Belgian public grid, equivalent to the annual consumption of around 40,000 households * 100% valorisation of syngas previously lost through flaring * Advanced Air Quality Management: integrated DeNOx and DeSOx flue gas treatment, reducing local sulfur and nitrogen oxide emissions * A multi-year-long-term partnership between E.ON and Imerys This plant is a lighthouse project for Imerys Graphite & Carbon, as it represents a step change in its production process optimisation, maximising resource efficiency and minimising its climate and emissions impact. Together with its valued partner E.ON, Imerys Group developed this project over the last few years and have now successfully completed it. The mutual trust and respect between its two companies, coupled with sound professionalism, have led to this remarkable success, achieved by its passionate people. Frank Wittchen Vice President & General Manager, Imerys Graphite & Carbon Projects like the energy recovery plant in Willebroek prove that the industrial energy transition is no longer a distant ambition - it is happening today, in partnership with forward-thinking companies like Imerys. Reaching commercial operation is an important milestone for E.ON Energy Infrastructure Solutions internationally, and Imerys Group is proud to operate this plant as a tangible contribution to Belgium's energy transition. Marc Spieker Chief Operating Officer - Commercial, E.ON SE Board of Management This installation is exactly the kind of industrial innovation Belgium needs. Recovering energy from industrial processes, reducing air pollutants, and contributing to grid stability - this is a model for sustainable industrial policy that Imerys Group should be replicating across the country. Jean-Luc Crucke Minister of Mobility, Climate and Ecological Transition | Background The project was announced in June 2023 when E.ON and Imerys signed a long-term partnership agreement. Construction began shortly thereafter on the Imerys site at Bedrijvenpark De Veert in Willebroek. The plant is now fully operational, and today's ceremony marks the formal start of commercial operation. The Energy Recovery Plant is built, owned, and operated by E.ON Power Plants Belgium, a subsidiary of E.ON Energy Infrastructure Solutions. The electricity supply to Imerys is secured through a multi-year long-term agreement. E.ON Power Plants Belgium also operates comparable industrial energy installations at Oleon in Ertvelde, Promat (Etex Building Performance) in Tisselt, and Dow Benelux in Terneuzen. Image |. About Imerys Imerys is the world's leading supplier of mineral-based specialty solutions for the industry with €3.4 billion in revenue and 12,300 employees in 40 countries in 2025. The Group offers high value-added and functional solutions to a wide range of industries and fast-growing markets such as solutions for the energy transition and sustainable construction, as well as natural solutions for consumer goods. Imerys draws on its understanding of applications, technological knowledge, and expertise in material science to deliver solutions which contribute essential properties to customers' products and their performance. As part of its commitment to responsible development, Imerys promotes environmentally friendly products and processes in addition to supporting its customers in their decarbonization efforts. Imerys is listed on Euronext Paris (France) with the ticker symbol NK.PA. About E.ON Energy Infrastructure Solution E.ON Energy Infrastructure Solutions is a European leader of integrated energy solutions for cities and industries. As a growth segment of the E.ON Group, E.ON Energy Infrastructure Solutions delivers reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy solutions in 14 European countries by combining strong engineering expertise with deep market knowledge. Its service portfolio spans the entire value chain - from planning and construction to the operation and optimization of integrated ecosystems for heating, cooling, and power. E.ON Power Plants Belgium is specialized in the development, construction, financing and operation of installations for the local production of electricity and heat. From its office in Mechelen, E.ON focuses primarily on energy solutions for larger industrial customers. E.ON Power Plants Belgium currently operates installations at Oleon in Ertvelde, at Promat (Etex Building Performance) in Tisselt and at Dow Benelux in Terneuzen. Press contacts E.ON: Tom De Bruyckere - +32 (0) 476 45 15 03 Imerys: Chiara Balconi - +41 (0) 79 635 67 65 Mathieu Gratiot - +33 (0)7 87 53 46 60 Isis Baracco - +33 (0) 7 88 12 33 50 Related Press Releases December 21, 2023 December 11, 2023 November 6, 2023 June 21, 2023 May 16, 2023

Europe's lithium chemical race accelerates as Vulcan, Keliber, Imerys and AMG move from strategy to production. 23/06/2026 Europe's ambition to build a competitive battery supply chain depends on far more than developing new lithium mines. The real challenge lies in producing battery-grade lithium chemicals at commercial scale. Without lithium hydroxide and lithium carbonate that meet strict industry specifications, even the largest lithium resources cannot support the continent's electric vehicle and energy storage ambitions. As demand for batteries continues to rise, investors and policymakers are increasingly evaluating lithium projects not only by the size of their deposits but by their ability to process raw materials into high-quality chemical products. Factors such as financing, permitting, energy availability, operational reliability, and customer qualification are now just as important as geology. Across Europe, several major projects are emerging as key tests of whether the region can establish an independent and competitive lithium processing industry. Vulcan Energy Resources builds an integrated lithium and renewable energy platform. Among Europe's most closely watched lithium developments is Vulcan Energy Resources' Lionheart Project, located in the Upper Rhine Valley between Germany and France. The project recently secured financial close on a massive €2.2 billion funding package, marking a significant milestone for one of Europe's most ambitious critical minerals initiatives. Once fully operational, Lionheart is expected to produce approximately 24,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide monohydrate annually, enough material to supply batteries for around 500,000 electric vehicles each year. What makes Vulcan unique is its integrated approach. Rather than relying on conventional hard-rock mining, the company plans to extract lithium from geothermal brines while simultaneously generating renewable electricity and heat. This combination of lithium extraction, clean energy production, and chemical processing has positioned the project as a potential model for low-carbon battery material supply in Europe. If successful, Vulcan could significantly reduce Europe's dependence on imported lithium chemicals while offering automotive manufacturers a locally sourced, lower-emission supply chain. However, the project also represents a major test of emerging direct lithium extraction technologies and integrated brine-processing systems. Any operational challenges could reinforce investor concerns about scaling these innovative approaches. Keliber positions Finland at the center of Europe's battery materials strategy. Another major milestone in Europe's lithium ambitions is being pursued through Sibanye-Stillwater's Keliber Project in Finland. The integrated mine-to-hydroxide development remains on schedule, with construction and cold commissioning targeted for completion in the first quarter of 2026. Total capital expenditures are expected to reach approximately €783 million, reflecting the scale of investment required to establish a domestic lithium chemicals industry. Once operational, Keliber is designed to produce around 15,000 tonnes of battery-grade lithium hydroxide monohydrate annually, providing a significant source of locally processed lithium for European battery manufacturers. The project also highlights the economic challenges facing the industry. As lithium prices remain under pressure globally, Sibanye-Stillwater has called for additional support mechanisms from the European Union. Potential measures could include trade protections, pricing support frameworks, or other policy tools designed to help strategic projects remain competitive against lower-cost international producers. Keliber demonstrates that even technically advanced projects may require regulatory and financial support to succeed in a highly volatile commodity market. France backs Imerys' EMILI Project with state support. France is taking a more direct approach to securing its lithium future through support for Imerys' EMILI Project. The French government has committed €50 million for a minority stake in the development, underscoring the strategic importance of domestic lithium supply. The project aims to produce approximately 34,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide annually, enough to supply materials for roughly 700,000 electric vehicles per year. The government's involvement reflects a broader trend across Europe, where critical mineral projects are increasingly viewed through the lens of industrial policy and economic security. Imerys has further demonstrated its commitment by prioritizing EMILI over other international opportunities, including the decision to pause development of a UK lithium project in order to focus resources on France's flagship operation. This approach highlights how governments and corporations are increasingly aligning their strategies to strengthen domestic battery material production and reduce dependence on overseas supply chains. AMG Lithium expands Europe's refining capacity. While Vulcan, Keliber, and Imerys focus on integrated production models, AMG Lithium represents a different but equally important segment of the value chain: refining. The company's Bitterfeld-Wolfen refinery in Germany became the first facility in the European Union dedicated to producing battery-grade lithium hydroxide. The refinery has a planned capacity of approximately 20,000 tonnes per year, adding critical chemical conversion capability to Europe's growing battery ecosystem. Unlike mine-integrated projects, AMG's business model offers greater flexibility. The refinery can process lithium feedstock from multiple external sources and may eventually incorporate recycled lithium materials as battery recycling volumes increase across Europe. This refining-focused strategy provides diversification and helps address one of the region's biggest supply-chain weaknesses: the limited availability of large-scale lithium chemical processing facilities. Four different strategies, one common goal. Together, these projects represent four distinct approaches to building Europe's lithium future: * Vulcan Energy Resources is pursuing a geothermal brine-to-lithium-chemical model. * Keliber is developing an integrated mine-to-hydroxide operation in Finland. * Imerys is advancing a state-supported hard-rock lithium project in France. * AMG Lithium is expanding refining capacity through a standalone processing facility in Germany. Despite their differences, all four projects share a common objective: creating a secure, local supply of battery-grade lithium chemicals for Europe's rapidly growing electric vehicle and energy storage sectors. The biggest challenge remains commercial viability. While Europe's lithium ambitions are gaining momentum, significant challenges remain. Lithium chemical production is among the most capital-intensive segments of the battery materials industry. Projects require substantial investments in infrastructure, processing technology, energy supply, environmental compliance, and customer qualification programs. At the same time, lithium prices remain highly cyclical. Periods of oversupply can quickly pressure margins, making it difficult for new producers to achieve sustainable returns. This reality has increased calls for long-term offtake agreements, strategic partnerships, government support programs, and market-stabilization mechanisms designed to protect critical projects during downturns. Without such support, even technically successful operations may struggle to compete against established global producers. Europe's lithium winners will be defined by execution. The next phase of Europe's battery materials strategy will not be determined by resource size alone. Success will depend on which companies can secure financing, complete construction, achieve commercial production, and consistently deliver battery-grade lithium chemicals that meet customer requirements. Vulcan, Keliber, Imerys, and AMG are now moving beyond policy discussions and feasibility studies into the execution phase. Their progress will play a crucial role in determining whether Europe can build a resilient lithium supply chain capable of supporting its electric mobility and energy transition goals. In the years ahead, the companies that master processing, qualification, and commercial scalability will emerge as the true leaders of Europe's lithium industry. The race is no longer simply about finding lithium - it is about transforming it into the chemicals that power the modern economy.