Germany may have enough lithium to meet its long-term domestic demand, a new study suggests—a development that could reduce reliance on imports and support the country’s struggling automotive industry. As supply chains shift in a deglobalized world, securing domestic resources is becoming increasingly critical.
The study, conducted by the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources and the Fraunhofer IEG Institute, highlights the potential for extracting lithium from deep underground waters in Germany.
Germany’s Heavy Lithium Dependence
Germany currently depends heavily on lithium imports. In 2023, the country imported €23.7 billion ($25.72 billion) worth of batteries, with lithium-ion batteries accounting for 86% of that total, according to the trade group ZVEI.
Demand is expected to surge further, with the German Raw Materials Agency projecting that the country will require 170,000 metric tons of lithium annually by 2030.
According to Reuters, the new study estimates that Germany holds up to 26.51 million metric tons of lithium, particularly in the North German Basin and the Central Thuringian Basin.
Geothermal Energy Could Boost Lithium Extraction
Much of Germany’s lithium could be extracted as a byproduct of geothermal energy production, offering a dual benefit—providing both sustainable energy and a critical mineral supply. This has drawn interest from major corporations, including ExxonMobil, whose subsidiary Esso Deutschland has already secured four exploration licenses in Lower Saxony.
Katharina Alms, research leader at Fraunhofer IEG, told Reuters: “This development shows that surprisingly high lithium resources might be dormant underground.”
However, she noted that variations in concentration levels and technical challenges, such as low-permeability rock formations, could complicate extraction.
Environmentally Friendly Extraction Methods Gaining Ground
Unlike traditional lithium extraction methods—such as evaporation ponds in Chile and Argentina, which require vast amounts of land and water—Germany’s lithium is dissolved in brine, allowing for direct lithium extraction (DLE). This method is considered more environmentally friendly and less resource-intensive.
Environmental concerns have stalled major lithium projects worldwide. Serbia’s Jadar project, one of the world’s largest greenfield lithium projects, was put on hold after protests over potential ecological damage. Despite Rio Tinto’s assurances of environmental compliance, the project faced strong public opposition.
In contrast, DLE technology reduces waste, speeds up lithium extraction, and is more likely to pass Germany’s strict regulatory standards, which the OECD ranks among the most stringent in the developed world.
With increasing demand for EV batteries and renewable energy storage, Germany’s ability to tap into its domestic lithium reserves could prove a game-changer for its energy and automotive sectors.
