Group14 Technologies has started production at its silicon battery materials factory in Sangju, South Korea. The facility is designed to produce up to 2,000 metric tons of the company’s SCC55 anode material per year. That output translates to roughly 10 GWh of battery capacity. The Sangju plant is the company’s first factory built specifically for EV-scale silicon anode output.
Highlights
- EV-scale output: The Sangju factory targets 2,000 metric tons of SCC55 annually, supporting approximately 10 GWh of battery capacity.
- Fast-charge performance: Group14 customers report 0–100% recharge in 90 seconds — up to 50 times faster than conventional lithium-ion cells.
- Graphite displacement: One ton of SCC55 can replace roughly five tons of conventional graphite anode material, reducing reliance on Chinese-controlled supply chains.
- Global manufacturing footprint: Sangju joins Group14’s existing Woodinville, Washington, factory, with a second U.S. plant in Moses Lake, Washington, nearing completion.
Factory Strategy and Location
The Sangju site positions Group14 near Asia’s largest battery cell manufacturers. The company said the factory was purpose-built for large-scale output and designed to integrate into existing commercial cell production lines.
Group14’s U.S. operations include its commercial factory in Woodinville, Washington, and a second facility under construction in Moses Lake, Washington. The company currently ships to more than 160 customers worldwide.
“For too long, silicon has been viewed as a breakthrough battery technology waiting for its moment,” said Rick Luebbe, CEO and co-founder of Group14. “That moment is here. Group14 is the only company manufacturing silicon battery materials at a true global scale, enabling OEMs and battery makers to move beyond graphite and unlock a new era of performance. In addition, this production milestone provides a new level of supply chain security that allows Group14 to supply the world’s largest cell producers as silicon moves into mainstream deployment.”
Material Performance and Compatibility
SCC55 is compatible with multiple cell formats and chemistries. These include LFP, LMFP, and high-nickel systems. The material is already used across EVs, consumer electronics, drones, and AI-enabled data centers.
“Our customers are building silicon battery cells with SCC55 and report reaching 0-100% recharge in 90 seconds, 50 times faster than traditional lithium-ion batteries, and other designs achieving over a 43% boost in energy density,” said Rick Costantino, Group14 CTO and co-founder. “This industry-transforming performance, demonstrated by partners such as Molicel and Sionic Energy, confirms that Group14 is the undisputed leader in advanced silicon battery technology.”
Critical Minerals and Supply Chain Impact
SCC55 offers roughly five times the energy capacity of conventional graphite. That ratio means each ton of SCC55 displaces approximately five tons of graphite in battery production.
The significance is strategic. China currently produces more than 90% of the world’s graphite-based anodes. The U.S. Geological Survey ranks graphite among the most critical minerals due to supply disruption risk. By reducing graphite volumes in cell production, SCC55 helps diversify sourcing and strengthen domestic battery manufacturing resilience.
Cycle Life and Commercial Validation
SCC55 has demonstrated cycle life of 1,500 to 3,000 cycles while retaining 80% capacity. That exceeds the 1,000-cycle benchmark long considered the threshold for viable commercial lithium-ion batteries.
Commercial battery programs incorporating SCC55 include partnerships with ATL, Molicel, Sionic Energy, InoBat, and V4Smart.
IP and Funding
Group14 holds more than 170 patents. The company said its IP portfolio is concentrated in the regions actively producing batteries and EVs. Group14 has raised more than $1 billion in equity to support its global manufacturing buildout.
For more information, visit www.group14.technology.
Sign up for our popular daily email to catch all the latest EV news!
