Rodney Hooper Assay article8 Jul 2022 16:25
“What about European supply chains? Can (and how will) the region secure its own supply chains?
Europe has the support of governments, both for policy and financial assistance (grants). However, Europe has a high population density relatively speaking. From a resource perspective, Europe is challenged. There are only a few large lithium resources, such as European Metals Holdings, that can be developed.
We believe commercial DLE production in the region is years off. What would make sense would be for Europe to start by processing spodumene concentrate and/or lithium chloride/tech grade carbonate (supplied from ESG/politically stable regions) into battery-grade chemicals in designated chemical parks/economic zones in conjunction with supporting local mines.”
So, Rodney’s take is for European converters to take the lead with Spond sourced elsewhere in order to establish a European lithium industry. At the same time in parallel bring emh into the fold as it ramps up production. Hopefully this will be the way forward and as the esg regs kick in more emphasis will be placed on local supply. Logical you would have thought, so why couldn’t VW have given a supply chain roadmap yesterday?