Siemens Canada Partners with Rock Tech Lithium to Advance Ontario Battery Materials Project

## Siemens Canada Partners with Rock Tech Lithium to Advance Ontario Battery Materials Project Rock Tech Lithium has signed agreements with Siemens Canada to deliver advanced engineering services for its planned Red Rock Lithium Converter in Ontario, a development that could strengthen North American supply chains for battery-grade materials — including those increasingly demanded by the maritime sector's accelerating shift toward electric and hybrid propulsion. According to a PR Newswire release, Siemens Canada will develop a **Digital Process Twin** for the Red Rock facility, drawing on results from Rock Tech's ongoing Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS). The digital twin technology will allow engineers to simulate, test, and optimise plant operations virtually before physical construction begins — a methodology that has become standard practice in advanced industrial projects seeking to reduce cost overruns and commissioning timelines. In addition to the digital twin, Siemens will provide Rock Tech's DFS project team with specialised support across **process control, instrumentation, and automation architecture** — areas where the German engineering giant has established global credentials. ### Relevance to Maritime Electrification While the Red Rock project is primarily an industrial minerals initiative, its significance extends to the maritime industry. Lithium hydroxide — the intended output of the converter — is a critical input for lithium-ion battery cells used in electric ferries, hybrid offshore vessels, and port equipment. As shipowners and operators face mounting regulatory pressure to decarbonise fleets, securing reliable, regionally sourced battery materials has become a strategic priority. Canada's Ontario province has positioned itself as a key node in the North American battery supply chain, benefiting from proximity to automotive and emerging marine manufacturing clusters. The involvement of Siemens — with its deep expertise in industrial digitalisation — lends the project additional credibility as it advances toward a final investment decision. ### Digital Twin Technology in Industrial Projects The deployment of a Digital Process Twin reflects a broader trend in heavy industry toward simulation-led engineering. By mirroring physical plant behaviour in a virtual environment, operators can identify process bottlenecks, validate control logic, and train personnel ahead of commissioning. This approach is increasingly being adopted across port terminals, LNG facilities, and shipyards seeking to compress project schedules. No financial terms for the Siemens-Rock Tech agreements were disclosed in the announcement. Rock Tech Lithium has stated that the DFS remains ongoing, with the Red Rock Converter intended to produce battery-grade lithium hydroxide monohydrate at commercial scale. *Source: PR Newswire / Rock Tech Lithium*