As reported by Businesswire, Orion Engineered Carbons announced plans earlier this month to build the only plant in the U.S. producing acetylene-based conductive additives.
These additives are a critical link in the value chain for lithium-ion batteries, high-voltage cables & other products that will assist in powering the global transition to electrification and renewable energy.
The facility is planned to be build in La Porte, Texas (south of Houston), and will be backed by a long-term agreement for acetylene supplied from a neighboring site owned by Equistar Chemicals LP, a subsidiary of LyondellBasell.
Approx $120 million and $140 million will be invested into the new facility.
"With this investment, we will quadruple our effective manufacturing capacity of acetylene-based conductive additives," said Corning Painter, Orion’s CEO.
"We are already experiencing high demand for this material, so expanding capacity for it is one of our top investment priorities and a major milestone in our growth plans. This is a very big day for Orion."
According to the post, The U.S. plant will bring new technology and high-skilled jobs including laborers, millwrights, welders, equipment operators among others jobs in Texas and positively impact long-term job creation for the local community.
"Batteries will continue to play an increasingly vital role in the world’s shift toward clean energy,” Painter said.
"By being a key supplier of materials to the battery industry, we’re living up to our mission of delivering solutions for a more sustainable future."
