NanoGraf Secures $60M Grant to Build Silicon Anode EV Battery Factory in Michigan

NanoGraf, a Chicago-based company, has received $60 million from the U.S. Department of Energy to build a $175 million factory in Flint, Michigan. The facility will produce silicon anode material for EV batteries, supporting the production of up to 1.5 million electric vehicles annually.

NanoGraf's $175M Factory to Boost U.S. EV Production with $60M DOE Grant for Battery Materials

NanoGraf, a Chicago-based company, is preparing to construct a $175 million factory that will generate 2,500 tons of silicon anode material annually. This production will help to support the production of up to 1.5 million electric vehicles (EVs) annually. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) with a $60 million grant to support the initiative.

The DOE has announced over $3 billion in grants, and NanoGraf's initiative is one of 25 programs selected from 14 states to receive a portion of this fund. These grants are a component of a more comprehensive initiative to enhance the domestic production of advanced batteries and battery materials in the United States.

The company intends to retrofit an existing factory in Flint, Michigan, utilizing the grant and its capital. Upon its completion, the facility will be one of the world's largest silicon anode production plants, which will substantially advance efforts to onshore the battery supply chain. NanoGraf's cutting-edge silicon anode technology is engineered to produce lithium-ion batteries that are more durable, lighter, and have a longer lifespan.

NanoGraf Expands with Flint Factory, Creating 350 Jobs and Boosting U.S. Battery Production Capacity

With the addition of the Flint factory, NanoGraf's total manufacturing footprint will increase to more than 414,000 square feet, making it the company's third battery material facility. According to Electrek, the company currently manufactures silicon anode material for the U.S. military at two Chicago-based facilities: its headquarters at 400 N Noble Street and a new research and development facility at 455 N Ashland Avenue.

Under a project labor agreement with the North American Building Trades Union, the project is anticipated to generate approximately 200 construction employees. Furthermore, factory operations are expected to create up to 150 permanent positions, with approximately 80% occupied by local community members.

NanoGraf has also entered into a neutrality agreement with the United Steelworkers and has pledged to collaborate with the union if most employees elect to unionize.