India-based Epsilon Advanced Materials, Inc. plans to establish its first U.S. manufacturing operation in Brunswick County, North Carolina. The facility will produce synthetic graphite anode material for electric vehicle batteries. The project is estimated to grow the state's economy by $1.3 billion over 12 years. The company will receive a Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) of up to $3,443,250, subject to meeting job creation and investment targets. The JDIG agreement also includes moving $1.14 million into the state's Industrial Development Fund - Utility Account. Epsilon Advanced Materials is a subsidiary of Mumbai-based Epsilon Carbon Private Limited. The facility is expected to create approximately 500 new jobs and will produce high-capacity anode materials for EV batteries. The company aims to power 1.10 million EV vehicles by 2030. The facility will utilize green technologies and is set to begin manufacturing in 2026, reaching full capacity by 2031. The strategic location of the facility offers proximity to the Wilmington port, automotive suppliers, and Southeastern vehicle manufacturing facilities. EAM is already in discussions with local raw material suppliers and transportation partners for its North Carolina operations. The investment aims to strengthen the EV battery industry in the US and contribute to building resilient and trusted supply chains. [78cb90ae]
The United States is seeing an investment surge in the electric vehicle (EV) industry as President Joe Biden pushes to rebuild industrial communities and grow domestic supply chains. A new 'battery belt' has emerged in the southeast, including North Carolina and Georgia, with factories for EV batteries and components. Toyota is investing in a $13.9 billion battery plant in North Carolina that will employ 5,100 people by 2028. EV fast-charger manufacturer Kempower is investing over $40 million in North Carolina, creating hundreds of jobs. The rise of non-union workforces in the southern areas has attracted pressure on Biden to deliver on his promise of 'good union jobs.' The investments are also driven by market forces and the global trend towards green transition. [78cb90ae]
Meanwhile, residents in Gaston County, North Carolina are expressing concerns over a proposed lithium mine project by Piedmont Lithium. The $1.2 billion project aims to produce battery-grade lithium for electric vehicle (EV) supply chains. The push for domestic lithium production is part of President Joe Biden's efforts to build domestic EV and battery industries and reduce dependence on China. However, residents are worried about the environmental impact of the mine, including water pollution and reduced water supplies. The mine is expected to operate for around a decade, leading to concerns about the long-term sustainability of jobs and farms in the area. While some residents support clean energy, they have reservations about the push for EVs due to a lack of charging infrastructure and high costs. The project has received a state mining permit but still requires further local permissions. The decision on the project is expected to be reached by November. [e68f93ec]
Scientists from the University of Pittsburgh have discovered a large amount of lithium located in Pennsylvania's Marcellus Shale gas wells. The lithium could potentially supply more than a third of America's needs for the mineral. The researchers analyzed compliance data from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to determine their results. The study noted that as decarbonization efforts across the U.S. grow more popular, the demand for lithium increases despite rising supply chain concerns. Lithium is considered essential to the U.S. economy due to domestic consumption in energy, manufacturing, and defense. The U.S. Geological Survey classifies lithium as a critical mineral, with its biggest uses including rechargeable batteries in cellphones and electric vehicles. The researchers hope that the discovery sheds light on creative remediation and reuse of the fluids from fracking. The wastewaters of the Marcellus Shale gas wells could potentially cover between 30 and 40 percent of the current U.S. national demand for lithium. [12632fc9]
Pennsylvania has over 50 trillion cubic feet of accessible natural gas deposits. A recent study found that Pennsylvania's unconventional wells produce wastewater containing sufficient lithium to meet 38 to 40 percent of current U.S. consumption. The study estimated that approximately 1,160 metric tons of lithium could be extracted annually from this produced water. The Marcellus Shale Coalition welcomed the findings, highlighting the potential for Pennsylvania's natural gas to enhance U.S. energy security and environmental sustainability. However, some experts remain cautious about the economic feasibility and environmental impact of extracting lithium from wastewater at scale. Eureka Resources is already working on lithium extraction from produced water and plans to implement the process in their Pennsylvania facilities within the next two years. Further research is needed to understand the economic and technological implications fully. [79ff1dd6]
Anson Resources Ltd will collaborate with Koch Technology Solutions (KTS) to commission a Li-Pro™ lithium selective sorption (LSS) pilot unit for lithium extraction at the company’s Green River Project in Utah, USA. The pilot unit production is set to begin next month and will be jointly funded by Anson Resources and KTS. The pilot unit will process fresh brine from the Bosydaba#1 well into lithium chloride, replicating commercial production conditions. The pilot results will provide inputs for a potential full-scale Li-Pro™ unit at Green River's lithium extraction facility. Anson Resources is focused on fast-tracking the development of the Green River Lithium Project and is looking at several technologies for extraction and downstream purification to produce battery-grade lithium carbonate. KTS' Li-Pro™ process is being used in its commercial-scale lithium extraction demonstration plant in Arkansas. [de8322b6]