Albemarle Corporation is planning to construct a lithium hydroxide Mega-Flex facility in Chester County, South Carolina. This facility will process diverse lithium feedstock, including recycled batteries, to produce battery-grade lithium hydroxide for electric vehicle (EV) and lithium-ion battery production.
Key Details
Location: Chester County, South Carolina
Investment: At least $1.3 billion
Production Capacity: Initially 50,000 metric tons annually, expandable to 100,000 metric tons
Job Creation: Over 300 permanent jobs (average annual wage ~$93,000) and 1,500+ construction jobs
Site: Nearly 800-acre parcel
Major Milestones
March 22, 2023: Project announcement
Late 2024: Expected construction start
Current Status (as of October 28, 2024)
Project is in the planning and permitting phase
Albemarle is working on partnerships with state and local communities
The company is developing educational partnerships to build a talent pipeline
Future Outlook
The facility will support the production of an estimated 2.4 million electric vehicles annually
It aligns with the Inflation Reduction Act's goal of localizing critical minerals production in North America
Albemarle is negotiating offtake agreements for the facility's output
The project is part of Albemarle's larger strategy to invest in the U.S. EV battery supply chain
This Mega-Flex facility represents a significant investment in domestic lithium processing capabilities and is expected to play a crucial role in supporting the growing electric vehicle industry in the United States