** Shares of Vulcan Energy rise as much as 7.9% to A$5.07, posting their biggest intraday pct gain since Oct. 28
** Specialty miner commences lithium hydroxide production at its downstream lithium optimisation plant in Germany
** Says lithium product will be used for battery-grade qualification process with partners including Stellantis
and Renault
** Stock up 76.1% YTD
(Reporting by Nikita Maria Jino in Bengaluru)
((Nikita.Jino@thomsonreuters.com;))