LG Chem plans $3B EV battery materials plant in Tennessee

LG Chem introduced Tuesday that it’s planning a mammoth cathode materials plant in Tennessee that may assist U.S. home electrical automobile battery manufacturing. 

In keeping with LG, the plant would be the largest of its form within the U.S., and as soon as working at capability it will likely be capable of produce 120,000 tons of the cathode battery materials—sufficient to make batteries for 1.2 million EVs yearly, assuming a 310-mile vary per automobile.

LG Chem mentioned that the brand new website will plan a key position in quintupling its battery supplies enterprise by 2027, versus 2022 ranges. It’s going to additionally assist automakers buying U.S.-made battery cells adjust to pending raw-materials sourcing guidelines within the Inflation Restoration Act. That push to conform has been complemented lately with an extended listing of federally funded battery supply-chain tasks throughout 12 states.

In the meantime, cathode-materials costs have been surging, largely as a consequence of a heightened demand for them as cell makers ramp up.

Tennessee Governor Invoice Lee on Monday, based on the Tennessean, referred to as the LG Chem plant the “largest single foreign-direct funding within the state’s historical past.” 

The power will make NCMA (nickel, cobalt, manganese, aluminum) cathode supplies for next-generation batteries which have improved capability and stability, LG Chem says—extending battery capability and EV life. The power will create greater than 850 jobs, but the corporate mentioned it plans to automate the complete manufacturing course of whereas establishing “a high quality evaluation and management system that would be the benchmark for all different cathode vegetation on this planet.”

That serves as a reminder that one other LG firm, LG Electronics paid GM $1.9 billion for a battery manufacturing subject that led to the recall of each Chevrolet Bolt EV made, plus widespread battery pack alternative beneath the recall. That subject was attributed to 2 unrelated manufacturing defects that wanted to be current concurrently and, whereas it’s unrelated to the cathode supplies this plant can be making, it’s a reminder on the significance of high quality management. 

Conceptual drawing of Ultium Cells plant in Tennessee

The corporate didn’t say the place the cathode materials can be equipped to. Common Motors introduced in July that it has “contractually secured” all battery uncooked supplies to fulfill manufacturing of 1 million North American EVs by 2025, though it’s unclear whether or not that is included in that determine. Ultium Cells LLC joint-venture battery vegetation in Tennessee and Ohio can be amongst 4 vegetation making cells for GM EVs. In the meantime, Honda and LG Vitality Resolution have dedicated $4.4 billion to a joint-venture battery plant in Ohio for future Honda EVs, and LG Vitality Resolution and Stellantis are partnering in a $4.1 billion battery manufacturing plant in Canada. 

LG mentioned that the ability will run on 100% renewable vitality. In keeping with the Tennessean, the positioning’s entry to Tennessee Valley Authority vitality performed an vital half within the choice. 

The plant will begin mass manufacturing in late 2025, whereas building of the plant is about to start out within the first quarter of 2023.