Despite obstacles and a postponement of the start of Rock Tech's lithium production plant in Guben (Brandenburg), the Canadian company, whose headquarters are in Vancouver, considers itself on schedule. In early November, it was announced that the launch would be delayed by six months from the end of 2024 to the second quarter of 2025 due to supply chain disruptions.

The company is planning a plant to produce battery-grade lithium hydroxide for electric cars. In Guben, 24,000 tons of lithium hydroxide are to be produced annually for the batteries of 500,000 electric cars. Around 470 million euros are to be invested. According to the company, 170 jobs are to be created.

On October 20, 2022, Mercedes-Benz finalised a supply agreement with Rock Tech Lithium Inc. to secure high-quality lithium used in battery production as part of a direct sourcing approach.

Starting in 2026, this allows the Stuttgart-based luxury carmaker to get its battery partners supplied with raw material to rapidly scale up its production of fully electric vehicles.

Mercedes-Benz plans to go all electric by the end of the decade, wherever market conditions allow, requiring the brand to open new sources of raw materials with new partners. As part of the agreement, Rock Tech Lithium plans to supply battery-grade lithium hydroxide to Mercedes-Benz battery partners from the converter based in Guben, Brandenburg, Germany. Lithium hydroxide is needed for the production of lithium-ion batteries which are used in Mercedes-Benz electric vehicles.