ICL, a global leader in specialty minerals, has officially started construction on a $400 million battery materials manufacturing plant in St. Louis. This facility is poised to be America’s inaugural large-scale lithium iron phosphate (LFP) production center.
Why It Matters
The plant’s inception is a pivotal move to address the burgeoning demand from the energy storage, electric vehicle, and clean-energy sectors for battery materials produced and sourced within the U.S. Additionally, it underscores ICL’s dedication to fostering growth within the nation’s clean energy supply chain.
Key Points
- ICL’s substantial investment in the facility was bolstered by a $197 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.
- The facility, spanning 140,000 square feet, is projected to produce 30,000 metric tons of LFP.
- Strategically located on ICL’s Carondelet campus in St. Louis, the facility’s location is recognized by the Justice40 Initiative as a disadvantaged community.
- The venture is estimated to create between 800 to 900 union construction jobs. St. Louis’s McCarthy Building Companies will act as the general contractor.
- ICL will be collaborating with Taiwan’s Aleees, an established LFP battery material producer, to cultivate a sustainable LFP supply chain for U.S. clients.
Bottom Line
The emergence of this facility not only represents a crucial extension of ICL’s energy-storage portfolio but also signals the company’s enduring commitment to fabricating premium specialty products across various sectors, including agriculture, food, energy, and industry. With the global LFP market predicted to be worth over $40 billion by 2031, this establishment situates ICL at the forefront of an industry primed for exponential growth.
