Rock Tech Lithium Secures Market Maker Amid Sector Recovery

Rock Tech Lithium CA77273P2017

The Canadian-German lithium developer Rock Tech Lithium has taken a step to enhance its stock's trading liquidity by appointing a dedicated market maker. This move coincides with a broader rebound in lithium prices, driven by sustained demand from the electric vehicle sector. The company's strategic focus remains fixed on its flagship converter project in Germany.

The decision to engage a market maker aligns with a significant upturn in the lithium market. On December 12, lithium carbonate futures in China reached CNY 94,500 per tonne, marking an 18-month peak. This represents a gain of over 12 percent within a single month. A primary driver is robust electric vehicle sales; in China, New Energy Vehicle (NEV) sales for the first ten months of 2025 climbed 33.1 percent year-over-year.

Enhancing Stock Liquidity Through Partnership

To improve the trading dynamics of its shares, Rock Tech has entered into an agreement with Toronto-based ICP Securities Inc. Effective December 11, 2025, the firm will provide automated market-making services designed to balance temporary disparities between buy and sell orders.

Key contractual details include:
* A monthly fee of CAD 7,500, plus applicable taxes.
* An initial term of four months, with provisions for automatic renewal thereafter.
* No stock options or performance incentives are part of the arrangement.
* ICP Securities holds no equity position in Rock Tech Lithium.

For smaller resource companies with lower trading volumes, such partnerships are a standard method for boosting market liquidity.

Guben Converter Project Advances with Strategic Support

At the heart of Rock Tech's strategy is its planned lithium hydroxide converter in Guben, Brandenburg. The facility is designed for an annual output of 24,000 tonnes of battery-grade material, sufficient for approximately 30 GWh of battery capacity. Recent developments have provided substantial momentum.

The project has been classified as strategic under the European Union's Critical Raw Materials Act. CEO Mirco Wojnarowicz cited the EU Commission's ResourceEU action plan as providing "clear tailwinds." The bloc aims to achieve binding targets by 2030, including processing 40% and recycling 25% of its strategic raw materials domestically.

Notable progress includes:
* A reduction in estimated capital costs by EUR 50 million, from EUR 730 million to EUR 680 million.
* A cooperation agreement with steel giant ArcelorMittal.
* An energy partnership with ENERTRAG SE to secure a sustainable power supply.

Funding and Parallel North American Plans

Rock Tech has made headway in financing the ambitious European project. In September 2025, the company raised CAD 6.51 million through a private placement. Furthermore, it has secured letters of intent for EUR 150 million in funding specifically for the Guben converter and has received grant money from Ontario's Critical Minerals Innovation Fund.

The Guben operation is expected to create around 200 jobs. Concurrently, Rock Tech is planning a North American converter with a capacity of up to 36,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent per year. This project would be supported by feedstock from the company's own Georgia Lake asset in Ontario.