It looks like Kryptonite, but instead of sapping Superman’s strength, it might power Europe’s clean energy transition.

A rare, white, nodular rock called jadarite has re-entered the spotlight after researchers at the Natural History Museum in London cracked the code behind its mysterious formation.

What makes jadarite truly fascinating is not just its high lithium content or its potential to power up to 90% of Europe’s electric vehicle lithium demand, but its chemical similarity to Kryptonite, the fictional green crystal that famously saps Superman’s strength.

Jadarite was first discovered in 2004 by mining corporation Rio Tinto in Serbia’s Jadar Basin. Image: Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London.  

First identified in 2004 in Serbia’s Jadar Basin by mining corporation Rio Tinto, jadarite’s formula bears a striking resemblance to the made-up compound featured in the 2006 film Superman Returns, right down to the combination of elements. 

In fact, in the 2006 film Superman Returns, Kryptonite’s fictional composition was written as sodium lithium boron silicate hydroxide with fluorine – eerily close to the actual formula of jadarite.

That uncanny match caused a media stir when the mineral was first classified, sparking headlines that Superman’s weakness had been found in a Serbian mine.

While the resemblance may be tongue in cheek, scientists are taking the mineral very seriously.

Kryptonite in the clay

Jadarite contains high concentrations of both lithium and boron, two elements that are relatively rare and industrially critical. Boron is widely used in fertilisers, heat-resistant smartphone glass, and in the manufacturing of solar panels and wind turbine materials.

 Lithium, meanwhile, is a core component in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries that power electric vehicles and portable electronics.

According to the researchers, if the deposit in Serbia’s Jadar Basin is mined, it could be a potential game changer for the continent’s green energy goals.

The study reveals that jadarite’s formation is almost impossibly rare, requiring a precise alchemy of alkaline-rich lakes, lithium-laden volcanic glass, and the transformation of clay into crystal under tightly controlled conditions.

“Similar to baking a cake, everything needs to be measured and exact for this rare mineral to form. For instance, if the mineral ingredients are not just right, if the conditions are too acidic or too cold, jadarite will not form,” said Dr Francesco Putzolu, one of the lead researchers.

“The criteria seem to be so precise that we’ve not yet seen it replicated anywhere else on Earth!” 

Powering a green revolution

Because of its low-energy extraction potential compared to traditional lithium sources like spodumene, jadarite could be a game changer in Europe’s push for renewable energy, if more deposits can be found or conditions recreated in a lab.

“As the demand for lithium continues in the race towards renewable energy, if mined, jadarite can offer huge potential,” said Dr Robin Armstrong, co-author of the paper.

“This process brings us closer to identifying other possible deposits by unravelling the formation conditions in the lab.”

For now, Serbia’s Jadar Basin remains the only known source.

But as nations race to electrify their transport networks and reduce dependence on imported materials, the hunt for Earth’s real Kryptonite is far from over. 

The study has been published in the journal Nature Geoscience.