November 6, 2023 – Umicore—a global materials technology and recycling group—is proceeding with the construction of a 35-GWh-equivalent battery materials production plant in Loyalist, Ont., to serve the North American electric vehicle battery market.

“Umicore’s investment in Canada represents the final step in creating a truly global production presence with our local-for-local, sustainable EV battery material value chains,” said Mathias Miedreich, Umicore’s CEO.

From left: R. Donald Maracle, Chief, Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte; Ralph Kiessling, EVP, Umicore; Vic Fedeli, Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade; Doug Ford, Ontario Premier; Mathias Miedreich, CEO, Umicore; François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, Canada; Patrick Van Gheel, Ambassador of Belgium to Canada; Jim Hegadorn, Mayor Loyalist Township; Shoichi Matsumoto, CEO, AESC; Randy De Palma, managing director, Umicore (Canada); Stefan Brandlhuber, VP Purchasing BMW Group; Ric Bresee, MPP, Hasting and Lennox & Addington. October 16, 2023. Source: ©Umicore.

By combining the production of precursor cathode active material (pCAM) and CAM—“the most critical components for a rechargeable battery’s performance”—Umicore says its production facility will complete “the missing link” in North America’s EV battery value chain.

The plant will be fully equipped to produce “the most advanced high-nickel technologies” (nickel content of 90% or more), adds Umicore, and will be prepared for future battery chemistries, including manganese-rich HLM (high lithium, manganese) and solid-state.

The investment is part of Umicore’s previously announced plans, and amounts to 1.27 billion EUR until 2026.

Umicore says it will receive substantial financial support from the governments of Canada and Ontario for this project.

Based on the full scope of the envisioned project, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada says Ottawa is supporting Umicore’s project with up to $551.3 million, while Ontario is providing up to $424.6 million. This is the first stage of a potentially larger project.

Aerial view of site location and future construction site of Umicore battery materials plant in Loyalist, Ont. Source: ©Umicore.

“Umicore’s investment in Loyalist Township will further integrate Eastern Ontario into the province’s thriving end-to-end electric vehicle supply chain,” said Hon. Vic Fedeli, Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade.

The engineering and permitting process is ongoing, but Umicore expects to begin construction on the 350-acre plot later this year. The plant is expected to be commissioned at the end of 2025, with production ramping up in 2026.