Arverne Taps Industrial Veteran to Spearhead France's Lithium Ambitions

HAGUENAU, France – February 06, 2026 – In a strategic move signaling a major push towards industrial-scale production, Arverne has appointed seasoned industrial leader Christophe Constant as the new Director of its subsidiary, Lithium de France. The appointment is seen as a critical step in accelerating the company's ambitious project to extract geothermal lithium in the Alsace region, a venture central to France's goals for energy sovereignty and a sustainable electric vehicle (EV) supply chain.

Lithium de France, established in 2020, is currently in a pre-industrial phase, working to transform the hot, mineral-rich brine deep beneath the Rhine Graben into a dual source of clean heat and battery-grade lithium. With Constant's extensive experience in scaling complex industrial operations, Arverne is betting on his leadership to navigate the project from its pilot stages to full commercial viability, ultimately aiming to meet a third of France's lithium demand.

A Veteran Industrialist Takes the Helm

Christophe Constant brings a formidable resume to a project that sits at the intersection of energy, industry, and high technology. A graduate of the prestigious INSA engineering school, his career began in the energy sector at Areva before spanning the aerospace, space, and rail industries. His decade-long tenure at Alstom was marked by strategic international roles focused on operations and business development, providing him with a deep understanding of managing large-scale, global projects.

More recently, Constant served as CEO of Helexia, a major player in the energy transition, where he honed his expertise in fast-growing green-tech environments. This blend of experience in legacy industrial giants and agile energy transition firms makes him uniquely suited for the challenges at Lithium de France. The company must combine the rigor of heavy industry—drilling deep geothermal wells and operating complex chemical plants—with the innovative spirit of a technology startup.

Pierre Brossollet, CEO and founder of Lithium de France and its parent company Arverne, underscored the strategic fit. “We are pleased to welcome a leader who shares the entrepreneurial culture and industrial standards of the group and its partner Equinor,” Brossollet stated, highlighting the need for a leader who can execute with precision while fostering innovation. Constant will now oversee the entirety of Lithium de France's operations and its 60-strong team based in Haguenau, Alsace, as they work to bring this pioneering industrial project to fruition.

Powering France's Push for Energy Sovereignty

The timing of Constant's appointment is not coincidental. Across Europe, the race is on to secure a reliable, ethical, and local supply of critical raw materials. Lithium, often called “white gold,” is the indispensable ingredient in the batteries that power electric vehicles, and the continent is currently almost entirely dependent on imports from a handful of countries, including China and Chile.

France's government has made re-industrialization and energy independence a cornerstone of its national strategy. The Lithium de France project is a flagship initiative in this effort, aiming to produce 27,000 tonnes of lithium per year by 2031. This target would satisfy approximately one-third of the nation's projected needs and significantly de-risk its burgeoning EV and battery manufacturing sectors. The project has already garnered significant state support, receiving €20 million in funding from BPI France as part of the ambitious France 2030 initiative.

By developing a domestic source of lithium, France aims to insulate its economy from geopolitical supply shocks and create a more resilient, short-cycle supply chain. This not only bolsters national security but also aligns with the EU's broader goals under the Critical Raw Materials Act, which seeks to boost domestic extraction and processing of strategic minerals.

Alsace's Geothermal Promise: The DLE Revolution

At the heart of the project is a groundbreaking technology known as Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE), which represents a paradigm shift from traditional, more environmentally damaging mining methods. Instead of vast open-pit mines or massive evaporation ponds, Lithium de France's process begins deep underground in the Rhine Graben, a geological feature where geothermal brine is both exceptionally hot and rich in dissolved lithium.

The company is currently drilling its first geothermal doublet at the Schwabwiller site in Alsace, with wells plunging 2,400 meters underground. The hot brine will be pumped to the surface, where the DLE process will selectively filter out lithium ions before the water, still hot, is used to provide clean heat for local industries and communities. The brine is then reinjected back into the geothermal reservoir, creating a closed-loop system with a minimal environmental footprint.

Construction of a DLE demonstration plant officially began in April 2025 and is slated for completion later this year. This facility will be crucial for optimizing the extraction process over the next two years before the company scales up. The advantages of this method are stark: DLE is projected to generate 75% less carbon, use 95% less water, and occupy 85% less land than conventional lithium extraction methods. Initial production at Schwabwiller is scheduled to begin in 2026, targeting 1,500 tons per year of battery-grade lithium hydroxide monohydrate, a crucial first step toward the larger industrial goal.

Forging Strategic Alliances for a Greener Future

An ambitious project of this scale cannot be realized in isolation. Arverne has successfully built a powerful coalition of partners, most notably the Norwegian energy giant Equinor. Through its venture capital arm, Equinor has become a major stakeholder, holding a 24.40% share in Lithium de France following a recent €40 million financing round.

Equinor's involvement goes far beyond capital. The company brings decades of world-class expertise in subsurface geology and large-scale project execution, a critical asset for managing the complexities of geothermal drilling and reservoir management. This strategic partnership provides a powerful endorsement of Lithium de France’s technology and business plan, lending credibility and technical firepower to the venture.

Alongside Arverne, which remains the majority shareholder at 64.58%, and fellow investor Hydro Energy Invest AS, this consortium represents a formidable force in Europe's emerging geothermal lithium sector. With seasoned leadership, cutting-edge technology, and powerful strategic backing, Lithium de France is poised to transform the geothermal potential of Alsace into a cornerstone of Europe's green industrial future.