Summary
- NanoGraf awarded $60-million grant to retrofit a manufacturing facility in Flint, Michigan
- Grant awarded under Bipartisan Infrastructure Law fund to support battery manufacturing projects
- Facility will produce 2,500 tons per year of silicon anode material for 1.5 million EVs
- NanoGraf’s third battery material production facility, increasing total manufacturing footprint
- Expansion into Michigan will allow NanoGraf to meet national demands for high-performing EV batteries and consumer electronics
Article
NanoGraf, a Chicago-headquartered company, has been awarded a $60-million grant from the US Department of Energy’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains. The grant is intended to retrofit a manufacturing facility in Flint, Michigan to produce silicon anode battery materials. This award was granted under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) fund, which supports new and expanded commercial-scale domestic battery manufacturing projects. NanoGraf may also be eligible to receive an additional grant from the Make It in Michigan Competitiveness Fund.
The financing from the grant, combined with NanoGraf’s own capital, will be used to complete the production facility in Flint. The facility is expected to produce 2,500 tons per year of silicon anode material, which is enough to supply material for 1.5 million electric vehicles (EVs). This new Flint factory will be NanoGraf’s third battery material production facility, expanding its manufacturing footprint to over 414,000 square feet. Currently, NanoGraf produces silicon anode material for the US military from two manufacturing facilities in Chicago. Recently, the company announced that it was supplying batteries to Thales Defense & Security for communication handsets used by soldiers in the field. NanoGraf’s headquarters, military-focused production facilities, and research and development operations will continue to remain in Chicago.
Speaking about the grant, Francis Wang, the CEO of NanoGraf, emphasized the company’s commitment to strengthening the domestic battery supply chain. Wang stated, “As a US-based and US-founded company, we’re committed to strengthening the domestic battery supply chain—and this factory is a big step forward.” NanoGraf’s expansion into Michigan will enable the company to ramp up production to meet the national demand for high-performing EV batteries and consumer electronics. The new facility in Flint marks a significant milestone for NanoGraf’s growth and contribution to the US battery manufacturing industry.
The $60-million grant from the Department of Energy underscores the importance of domestic battery manufacturing in the US. With the support of government funds and their own capital, NanoGraf aims to establish a state-of-the-art production facility in Flint, Michigan. The production of silicon anode materials for batteries used in EVs and consumer electronics is crucial for transitioning towards a more sustainable future. NanoGraf’s investment in this facility reflects their dedication to expanding their manufacturing capabilities and meeting the growing demand for advanced battery materials.
By establishing a new production facility in Michigan, NanoGraf is strategically positioning itself to meet the evolving needs of the battery industry. With a focus on domestic production, NanoGraf aims to reduce dependencies on foreign suppliers and strengthen the US battery supply chain. The expansion into Michigan represents a significant milestone for the company, as it will allow NanoGraf to scale up its production capacity and support the electrification of transportation and advancements in consumer electronics. The grant received from the Department of Energy’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains will play a pivotal role in enabling NanoGraf to achieve its goal of enhancing the domestic battery supply chain.
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