Morrow Batteries, has launched Europe’s first large-scale factory
For our first story, The Norwegian start-up, Morrow Batteries, has launched Europe’s first large-scale factory for lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries in Arendal, Norway. The plant is set to produce up to three million battery cells each year, which equals about one gigawatt-hour. Test production has already started at the facility. Morrow Batteries is working closely with its customers to fine-tune production processes and ensure high-quality production in the coming months. The company expects to begin full commercial production by the end of 2024. CEO Lars Christian Bacher called it "a historic day for Norwegian industry," thanking the strong support from the Arendal community, as well as local and national governments, and shareholders. The opening of Europe’s first LFP battery factory opens up big export opportunities. The "Morrow Cell Factory" is the first of four planned factories in Arendal and is expected to create around 150 jobs, with work done in shifts.
Natron, has announced plans to build the first large-scale sodium-ion battery factory in the United States.
For a second story, "Natron," a leading company in sodium-ion battery technology, has announced plans to build the first large-scale sodium-ion battery factory in the United States. The facility will be located in Edgecombe County, North Carolina, and is expected to produce 24 gigawatts of Natron’s advanced sodium-ion batteries each year once fully operational. Natron’s batteries stand out for their higher power density, longer lifespan, and unique safety features, along with a fully domestic U.S. supply chain. The plant, which will be nearly 1.2 million square feet in size, will be situated on a 437-acre site at the Kingsboro megasite in North Carolina, and represents a $1.4 billion investment by Natron Energy. This project is partially supported by a Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) from the state’s Economic Investment Committee. The Edgecombe County facility will significantly expand Natron’s production capacity by 40 times and will help create over 1,000 local clean energy jobs. Natron’s sodium-ion batteries, will serve a variety of industries, including data centers, electric vehicle fast charging, microgrids, and telecommunications.
E3 Lithium, has announced plans to build a fully integrated Lithium Brine Demonstration Facility in Alberta
For our third story, "E3 Lithium," a leading Canadian lithium company, has announced plans to build a fully integrated Lithium Brine Demonstration Facility in Alberta. This Demo Project aims to produce battery-grade lithium carbonate from brines in the Leduc reservoir. It marks a significant step in the company’s strategy to develop a commercial lithium facility, strengthening western Canada’s position as a key lithium resource area. The Demo Project builds on the success of E3 Lithium's 2023 Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) pilot program. During the pilot, the company tested and validated various DLE technologies, including its proprietary method, proving the technical viability of the process. The data gathered was crucial in the recently released Pre-Feasibility Study, which confirmed the economic potential of lithium projects in Alberta.
ENTEK, has announced that it will receive up to $1.2 billion in a direct loan
For our last story, ENTEK, the only U.S.-owned and U.S.-based producer of wet-process lithium-ion battery separator materials, has announced that it will receive up to $1.2 billion in a direct loan from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office. This funding will help build a new facility in Terre Haute, Indiana, where lithium-ion battery separators for EV’s will be manufactured. The project aims to strengthen and localize the lithium-ion battery supply chain, essential for the production of advanced technology vehicles. The new facility is expected to create 763 construction jobs and 635 operational jobs. ENTEK plans to prioritize hiring local workers, including those displaced from manufacturing jobs.
These were the biggest updates from the process industry across Europe and the US. If you enjoyed the video please give it a like, comment, and share. If you have an advanced engineering project coming up, CMC provides engineering, construction and project management services to help you deliver your project ahead of schedule and under budget, for more information visit www.expertisedelivered.com or reach out to me directly on LinkedIn. Thank you for watching, I’m Cain van Heyningen, this has been work in process, and I hope to see you again next month.