LG Chem has commenced the development of a cathode plant within the U.S., intending to determine a manufacturing hub for the worldwide battery materials market. The ability, situated in Montgomery County, Clarksville, Tennessee, will regionally produce cathode supplies optimized for North American electrical automobiles and collaborate with key companions from growth to provide chain.
On December 20, LG Chem held the groundbreaking ceremony for its cathode plant in Tennessee. The corporate will make investments round KRW 2 trillion (USD 1.6 billion) within the first section to construct a cathode plant with an annual capability of 60,000 tons on a 1.7 million sq. meter web site in Clarksville, Tennessee.
The plant is anticipated to be the most important cathode materials facility in the US, able to producing cathode supplies for roughly 600,000 high-performance pure electrical automobiles with a spread of 500 km yearly.
Ranging from 2026, the Tennessee cathode plant will mass-produce NCMA (Nickel, Cobalt, Manganese, Aluminum) cathode supplies. LG Chem plans to diversify its product portfolio via future-generation cathode materials merchandise and increase manufacturing capability in response to rising demand. LG Chem beforehand signed a complete settlement for the long-term provide of 950,000 tons of cathode supplies with Normal Motors (GM) final yr and a North American cathode materials provide contract value KRW 2.9 trillion (USD 2.5 billion) with Toyota in October this yr.
Tennessee provides glorious geographical accessibility for buyer deliveries and uncooked materials imports. LG Chem plans to make use of the Tennessee facility as a base for communication with prospects, producing personalized cathode supplies optimized for North American electrical automobiles from the event stage.
By the plant, LG Chem goals to actively reply to the Inflation Discount Act (IRA) of the Biden Administration, serving to prospects meet EV tax credit standards. The Tennessee plant will safe a dependable provide chain for minerals and precursors from nations with U.S. free commerce agreements (FTAs). As an illustration, it’ll make the most of precursors from Ulsan by Korea Precursor Firm (KPC), a three way partnership of LG Chem and Korea Zinc.
LG Chem will improve the manufacturing competitiveness of the Tennessee plant by advancing its engineering expertise of the calcination course of, securing the world’s highest-level annual manufacturing capability of 10,000 tons per line. LG Chem will even apply sensible manufacturing unit expertise to the Tennessee plant, automating all the manufacturing course of and establishing a top quality evaluation and management system.
As well as, LG Chem is discussing collaboration with U.S. battery recycling corporations relating to materials provide cooperation. The corporate plans to function the plant with 100% renewable power, together with photo voltaic and hydro energy, in collaboration with native energy provide corporations.
Dec 23, 2023