US battery separator manufacturer Entek is making a substantial investment in a new production facility in Terre Haute, Indiana, with plans to supply separators for up to 1.6 million electric cars annually. The company plans to invest $1.5 billion in the construction of the new factory, which is expected to begin operations between 2025 and 2027. The facility will be built on an area of about 1.4 square kilometres in Terre Haute, with the company planning to construct four buildings initially.
“Indiana is one of the most manufacturing intensive states in the country. I am thrilled to welcome ENTEK to Terre Haute and to the Hoosier state. As the only American company to own and produce ‘wet-process’ lithium-ion battery separator materials, ENTEK is going to help to pave the way for electric vehicle production in Indiana and reduce American manufacturers’ reliance on imported products. Their operation in Terre Haute will create hundreds of new jobs and continue to grow the already sizable automobile industry in Indiana,” said Congressman Larry Bucshon.
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The company will produce battery separators for lithium-ion battery manufacturers in the US, and the production facilities will be built at Entek’s current manufacturing facilities in Oregon and Nevada. The construction of the factory is subsidised by the US Department of Energy with $200 million, with plans to increase production to the point where separators can be supplied for the batteries of about 3.5 million e-vehicles per year.
Commenting on the development, Entek CEO Larry Keith said, “We are excited to expand our manufacturing footprint in the United States with this new state-of-the-art facility. As a company, we are committed to supporting the growth of the US battery separator market and supplying innovative solutions to meet the demand of our customers. The construction of this facility is a significant step towards achieving our vision.”
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This investment is a significant boost to the US battery separator industry, which has seen a rise in demand due to the increasing adoption of electric vehicles. As the only American company to own and produce ‘wet-process’ lithium-ion battery separator materials, Entek’s expansion will help to reduce the country’s reliance on imported products and create hundreds of new jobs in the region.
