LG Energy Solution on Wednesday offered a glimpse into its ongoing battery factory construction project in Arizona to the state governor and local authorities, explaining that the company is taking a critical step forward to lead the country’s rise in the battery market ahead of its global rivals, according to one of Korea’s biggest battery developers, Thursday.State Governor Katie Hobbs, President and CEO of Arizona Commerce Authority Sandra Watson, Mayor of Queen Creek Julia Wheatley and other members of the state government and local community officials visited the site in the town of Queen Creek on Wednesday, local time.The new manufacturing plant for the company’s cylindrical batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) and lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries for energy storage system (ESS), began construction last November. The facility has seen a 7.2 trillion won investment ($5.3 billion) and is the company’s second standalone factory in the U.S. and the first American plant dedicated to making cylindrical and LFP batteries.“This transformative investment will have a lasting impact not only in Arizona but across the country and move us one step closer toward our clean energy goals,” Hobbs said at the construction site. “These are the jobs of the future and the State of Arizona is committed to being an active partner in ensuring Arizonans have the skills to fill these jobs.”Head of the company’s ESS Battery Division Kim Hyung-sik, who was also present at the site, said there is “no better place to build the source of our sustainable energy here in Arizona, where the abundant solar energy surrounds the region.”
“Quality batteries, made right here in the Copper State, will reach every corner of America to provide power,” Kim said.The construction will see two facilities being erected, LG Energy Solution Arizona for 46-Series batteries for EVs and LG Energy Solution Arizona ESS for LFP pouch-type batteries for ESS.The company plans to mass-produce 46-Series batteries for the first time at its Ochang plant in Korea’s North Chungcheong Province in the second half of this year — the earliest among major global battery manufacturers, according to the company. The company said the planned operation at the Ochang plant will leverage its production momentum to the Arizona plant.The factory for LFP batteries is also one of the first ESS-exclusive battery production facilities in the world.The company said the construction’s initial land preparation works have been completed and steel beams have begun being placed at the site. The construction of the site for the facility for the manufacturing of cylindrical EV batteries aims to be finished in late 2025 and the facility for LFP pouch-type ESS batteries the following year.The completed plants will create thousands of jobs for local people in Arizona, according to the company.The company’s first standalone facility in Michigan built a decade ago, is now undergoing expansion to expand its production capacity by five times. The company also has five other joint venture facilities in the U.S. with major automakers, including 스포츠토토존 General Motors, Honda and Hyundai Motor Group.