US-based advanced materials company Anovion Technologies has announced it will construct a commercial-scale anode-grade synthetic graphite production facility in Decatur County, southwest Georgia. The USD800 million facility will produce 40,000 tonnes annually from its expected commercial operations date in 2025, which is the first such synthetic graphite production site of its scale in North America. The company already has a hydro-powered sister manufacturing site and Centre of Excellence near Niagara Falls, NY which will also be expanded. In October 2022, Anovion was awarded USD117 million from the US Department of Energy under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law as part of the US strategy to onshore large parts of the battery manufacturing supply chain.

The plant will be located in the Downrange Industrial Park in Bainbridge, which is strategically located near pre-existing and planned renewable energy sources and existing rail infrastructure for product distribution. By situating in Georgia, the facility will benefit from close proximity to EV and battery manufacturers in the state. Since 2020, Georgia has had roughly 40 EV-related projects announced amounting to over USD21.9 billion in investment, a quarter of which are battery manufacturers, recyclers and suppliers.

Eric Stopka, Chief Executive Officer of Anovion, said: “Anovion conducted a thorough search to identify a location that addressed our energy, transportation, logistics, and human capital needs that would ensure we have the ecosystem in place to produce the highest quality and sustainable synthetic graphite anode material on the market today. Not only does existing infrastructure make Southwest Georgia an attractive location for Anovion’s new facility, but the proximity to other battery and EV manufacturing plants will allow us to further reduce our carbon footprint.”

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp commented: “We’re proud to welcome Anovion to the No. 1 state for business that is fast becoming the e-mobility capital of the nation. Job creators like them are recognizing that every corner of our state has the resources and workforce needed for success. Having met their team personally, I look forward to celebrating their partnership with the hardworking Georgians of Decatur County.”

 

We heard from Anovion’s VP of Technology, Jeremy Schrooten, at our Q2 Seminar Series in New York, where he exclusively announced further details about the facility. If you would like to see his presentation, you can request the event recordings.

 

 

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