Rock Tech Lodges Patent Application for a Novel Lithium Hydroxide Process
Rock Tech Lithium Inc.
600-777 Hornby Street | Vancouver | British Columbia | Canada | V6Z 1S4
P. +1.778.358.5200 | F. +1.604.670.0033
www.rocktechlithium.com | [email protected]
TSXV: RCK | Frankfurt: RJIB
Rock Tech Lodges Patent Application for a Novel Lithium Hydroxide Process
Vancouver, BC, Canada – November 12, 2020 – Rock Tech Lithium Inc. (the "Company" or
“Rock Tech”) (TSX-V: RCK; Frankfurt: RJIB) is pleased to announce that it has lodged a patent
application with the European Patent Office for a new and innovative lithium hydroxide
manufacturing process.
The so-called Nitrate Process has been developed in cooperation with Prof. Dr. em. Wolfgang
Voigt from TU Bergakademie Freiberg / Germany and aims to replace the Sulphate Process
which is currently used in most operating lithium converters worldwide.
In comparison to the Sulphate Process, the Nitrate Process presents two key advantages:
• The crystallization step of lithium hydroxide in the Nitrate Process does not require
temperatures around negative 10 degrees Celsius. Instead it is carried out at higher
temperatures, resulting in substantial energy savings potential.
• Gypsum and nitrate compounds are produced as by-products which are expected to
generate higher value revenue streams than the Sodium Sulphate by-product from the
Sulphate Process.
Rock Tech has successfully produced battery-grade lithium hydroxide on a lab-scale basis and
intends to prove the industrial scalability and economic benefits of its proprietary flowsheet as
part of the upcoming converter pre-feasibility study targeted for completion in mid-2021.
The by-products from the lithium conversion can have a significant impact on the overall cost of
production for lithium hydroxide.
The Company considers the price outlook for Sodium Sulphate to be negative. Increasing by-
product production from conventional lithium hydroxide converters will hit a shrinking market
as the main consumers, like the detergents and wood pulp industry, are switching to substitutes.
There is an increasing risk that the market will not be able to absorb all the Sodium Sulphate
produced. In that case, substantial disposal costs will be foisted upon lithium producers as
Sodium Sulphate cannot be stored in standard disposal facilities due to its high solubility in
water.
Nitrate compounds, on the other hand, are very sought-after fertilizer compounds and the supply
of gypsum is set to drastically decrease (particularly in Germany) over the next two decades due
to the scheduled phase-out of lignite-fired power plants.
The patent application was lodged with the European Patent Office, meaning that – if granted in
all designated states – the patent would be applicable within the EU countries, Turkey, and
Rock Tech Lithium Inc.
600-777 Hornby Street | Vancouver | British Columbia | Canada | V6Z 1S4
P. +1.778.358.5200 | F. +1.604.670.0033
www.rocktechlithium.com | [email protected]
TSXV: RCK | Frankfurt: RJIB
Switzerland for 20 years. Within the usual 12 months priority period Rock Tech can decide on
whether an international patent application is filed.
“We are very excited about this patent application since it shows that Rock Tech is very
dedicated to becoming a lithium technology company. It is a testimony of our team’s capabilities
and we will continue to grow it over the coming months. It is very clear that continuous
innovation will be key for bringing down costs for lithium chemicals and consequently EV’s
whilst maintaining healthy margins,” said Simon Bodensteiner, the Company’s Chief Executive
Officer.
On behalf of the Board of Directors,
"Simon Bodensteiner"
Simon Bodensteiner
Director, Chief Executive Officer
For further information, please contact:
Brad Barnett
Chief Financial Officer
Rock Tech Lithium Inc.
777 Hornby Street, Suite 600
Vancouver, B.C., V6Z 1S4
Telephone: (778) 358-5200
Facsimile: (604) 670-0033
Email: [email protected]
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the T SX Venture
Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Statements included in this announcement, including statements concerning our plans, intentions and expectations, which are n ot
historical in nature are intended to be, and are hereby identified as, "forward ‐looking statements". Forward ‐looking statements
may be identified by words including "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "expects" and similar expressions. T he
Company cautions readers that forwar d‐looking statements, including without limitation those relating to the Company's future
operations and business prospects, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ m aterially
from those indicated in the forward‐looking statements.