LG Chem is expected place orders soon from South Korean equipment makers for kits to place at its factory run by Ultium Cells, its joint venture with General Motors.
The Korean battery has already sent letters of intent (LOI) to major supplies in September.
First orders will be placed this month at the earliest. First orders will be for mixing equipment used to mix battery cathode and anode materials worth around 200 billion won.
LG Chem will then place orders for electrolyte and assembly equipment.
The factory at Lordstown, Ohio is expected to have a production capacity of 30GWh. LG Chem and General Motors each own a 50% stake and each put in 1 trillion won. A total of 2.7 trillion won will be invested in the factory.
This first investment will be for five production lines. The factory will take up six times more space compared to LG Chem’s Michigan factory.
The new factory will produce batteries that use nickel, cobalt, manganese and aluminum (NCMA) cathode and have long axis.
The batteries will be used first in Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC brand electric SUV and pick-up trucks.
LG Chem’s orders will benefit; mixing equipment makers TSI, Yunsung F&C, Jeil Machines and LG Electronics’ PRI; electrolyte equipment makers PNT; lamination and stacking equipment makers Nain Tech, Poongsan System and Youil Energy Tech; and degassing equipment makers NS and Hana Technology.
Nain Tech is positioned to benefit the most as it was the exclusive vendor of lamination and degassing kit for LG Chem.
EcoPro will also offer its hybrid kit that does both packaging and formation. Conventional formation equipment will be provided by PNE Solution. Distribution kit will likely benefit Cowin Tech.
It will also benefit __ cathode suppliers Posco Chemical and L&F; anode supplier Dae Joo Electronic Materials; electrolyte makers Chunbo, Dongwha Electrolyte. Soulbrain and Enchem, that will likely supply their materials after kits are all placed, around the end of next year.
Ultium Cells’ factory in Lordstown will began operation in 2022. NCMA batteries will be made at the Michigan plant before the newer factory goes live.
