Europe’s Lithium Strategy under the EU Critical Raw Materials Act

Lithium is one of the most strategically important materials supporting Europe’s energy transition. As electric vehicle production expands, energy storage systems scale, and digital infrastructure continues to grow, demand for lithium across Europe is increasing rapidly. Yet the region remains heavily dependent on imported lithium and processing capacity outside the EU, creating exposure to geopolitical risk and supply‑chain disruptions.¹

The EU Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) was introduced to address this vulnerability. Rather than offering broad policy guidance, the CRMA establishes concrete objectives for domestic extraction, processing, and recycling of critical raw materials, including lithium.¹ By linking regulatory compliance, sustainability, and supply‑chain resilience more tightly than before, the CRMA reshapes how lithium projects are evaluated and developed across Europe.

What the CRMA Changes for Lithium in Europe

The CRMA sets measurable benchmarks for 2030 that directly affect lithium project development. It requires the EU to source at least 10 percent of its annual lithium demand from domestic extraction and establishes additional targets for processing and recycling within the EU. It also introduces supply‑chain diversification rules, limiting reliance on any single non‑EU country to no more than 65 percent at each processing stage.¹

These targets have practical consequences. Decision‑makers now assess lithium projects on more than technical performance alone. Priority is given to projects that shorten supply chains, meet sustainability requirements, and scale efficiently from pilot to commercial operation. Alignment with these criteria improves outcomes across permitting, financing, and long‑term offtake discussions.

Why Geothermal Lithium Is Gaining Momentum & The Role of Direct Lithium Extraction Technologies

European research programs, including Horizon Europe initiatives, have identified geothermal brines as a promising domestic source of lithium.2,3 Geothermal systems already handle large volumes of brine through established infrastructure, allowing continuous operation with limited additional land use. This approach enables battery grade lithium production while preserving geothermal energy generation.²

These findings show why geothermal lithium production aligns closely with CRMA priorities. Most importantly, it demonstrates that geothermal lithium extraction can progress beyond laboratory research toward industrial deployment when supported by appropriate technology and infrastructure.

Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) processes have emerged as a strong contender. Lithium‑selective media have demonstrated successful recovery of lithium from complex geothermal fluids.² These technologies support continuous operation, modular scaling, and lower environmental impact compared to other extraction technologies, such as evaporation ponds.

Lithium-Selective Materials Designed for European Conditions

European geothermal brines vary in composition depending on their location.4 As a result, there is no single “one-size-fits-all” DLE solution. Depending on the application, geothermal operators may choose adsorption based DLE using lithium selective sorbents or ion exchange based DLE employing lithium selective ion exchange media.

The performance of a DLE system depends heavily on how the lithium-selective media at its core interacts with the brine. Media designed for European geothermal brines must balance selectivity, capacity and durability under site-specific thermal and chemical conditions. This balance is essential to maintain reliable performance under elevated temperatures, high salinity, and continuous operating conditions.

Saint‑Gobain’s ceramic lithium sorbent portfolio is well-suited to extract lithium from European geothermal brines.

• The HeliX® platform uses an adsorption‑based mechanism to selectively capture lithium. Its elution does not require chemicals or pH control, making HeLiX® sorbents easy to process in continuous operations.
• The Spira™ platform, designed for ion‑exchange technology, offers strong lithium selectivity and robustness across a wide pH range. This robustness makes Spira™ media adaptable to varying process designs and brine compositions.

Together, these complementary technologies provide flexibility for geothermal DLE systems, enabling consistent lithium recovery while integrating smoothly with continuous geothermal energy production.

By tailoring lithium-selective materials to specific operating conditions, DLE systems can deliver consistent lithium recovery while remaining compatible with continuous geothermal operations. This alignment supports the development of domestic lithium projects that are technically robust, scalable, and well suited to Europe’s regulatory and environmental framework under the CRMA.

From Regulation to Deployment

The CRMA is accelerating change across Europe’s lithium landscape by favoring projects that combine domestic production, responsible extraction, and credible deployment timelines. Geothermal DLE projects supported by advanced lithium-selective materials are well positioned to meet these expectations.

For developers, utilities, and technology providers, the opportunity now lies in moving from policy alignment to execution. While geothermal lithium will not replace all other supply routes, it can play a meaningful role in strengthening Europe’s lithium supply while supporting broader decarbonization goals.

If you're developing a geothermal lithium project or evaluating DLE technologies in Europe, we would be excited to support you. Contact our team to discuss your project and needs so we can build Europe’s lithium future together!