Syensqo Breaks Ground on Augusta Plant, Pioneering EV Material Production

Syensqo initiated the construction of its upcoming battery-grade polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) facility in Augusta, Georgia, on April 25, 2024. The groundbreaking ceremony saw the presence of Tom Perez, Senior Advisor and Assistant to the President, and Director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, along with Giulia Siccardo, Director of the Department of Energy’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains, alongside other dignitaries. The robust backing from the Biden-Harris Administration highlights the project's pivotal role in advancing the U.S. EV market.

Upon completion, the facility will emerge as the largest PVDF production site in North America, meeting the increasing needs of domestic energy storage markets. A pivotal achievement within Syensqo’s global electrification strategy, this establishment will facilitate the production of battery materials essential for driving widespread electrification and adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). PVDF, a thermoplastic fluoropolymer, functions as a binder and separator coating in lithium-ion batteries. Specifically, the new facility will manufacture Solef®, Syensqo’s flagship PVDF product, enhancing the range of EVs per charge, prolonging battery lifespan, and enhancing battery safety.

"As we embark on the construction of this facility in Augusta, Syensqo is turning its aspirations to safeguard the planet and propel humanity forward into tangible progress. We take pride in our role in shaping the future of energy storage, unlocking the market potential for electrification, and driving the adoption of EVs in the U.S. The groundbreaking of our new facility signifies a notable milestone for our company's expansion and the ongoing advancement of the American EV industry." - Dr. Ilham Kadri, CEO of Syensqo.

At full capacity, the facility is projected to manufacture sufficient PVDF for over 5 million EV batteries annually, covering 45 percent of the anticipated PVDF demand by 2030. This will establish a fresh and dependable supply for the fast-expanding U.S. EV battery market, generating numerous employment opportunities across the value chain.

" By collaborating with governments, automakers, and materials providers, we're driving progress in this vital region to become a focal point of the EV revolution. Syensqo's new facility will ensure a steady stream of EV materials, offering the industry access to a resilient domestic supply chain. We're poised to join the 'Made in America' Battery Belt, fulfilling our pledge to fuel sustainable EV innovation while fostering economic development in the Augusta area."; said Mike Finelli, Chief Technology & Innovation Officer and Chief North America Officer at Syensqo.

Syensqo received a $178 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains to facilitate the construction of this facility. This grant, allocated under the U.S. Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, aims to enhance domestic battery manufacturing for EVs and the electrical grid. The construction of the facility will generate around 500 local construction jobs, while over 100 highly skilled manufacturing positions will be created upon its completion.

Moreover, Syensqo is dedicating $1 million towards bolstering local workforce development by broadening the availability of educational resources and technical training for economically disadvantaged, underrepresented, and rural communities, which are also anticipated to be key recruitment targets for the project. As part of this initiative, Syensqo will provide support to local higher education institutions, such as Augusta Technical College.

The Augusta facility represents a collaboration between Syensqo and Orbia, combining Orbia’s raw material resources and manufacturing proficiency with Syensqo's Solef® PVDF. This partnership aims to guarantee a steady provision of premium-grade PVDF, enhancing performance and extending battery lifespan.