SK Innovation set to start pilot EV battery production in Georgia as investment ramps up
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SK Battery America employees start training. Photo: SK Innovation
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SK Innovation is set to start pilot production at its first electric vehicle battery plant in the US state of Georgia in the first half of 2021, the group has confirmed.
The South Korea-based lithium-ion battery maker expects to receive battery materials in Georgia in the first half of the new year and "to start conducting necessary tests for actual production”, a spokesperson said.
The announcement came as the group confirmed it would supercharge investment in Georgia with 1.09 trillion won (£683m) in ‘green bonds’, which will be issued by its SK Battery America subsidiary next month.
SK Innovation said the investment boost would support construction of the second Georgia plant, while the first facility is now 90% complete.
Broke ground
In March 2019, SK innovation broke ground on the first manufacturing plant at a business park in Commerce, in Jackson County. Ground was broken for the second Commerce facility last July.
The group also expanded its original plans and invested an additional $940m to build a further 430,000-square-feet of manufacturing capacity at the business park.
Mass production is expected to start at the first Georgia plant in 2022, followed by the second EV battery facility in 2023. The plants are expected to have a combined annual production capacity of 21.5GWh.
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SK Innovation sells stake in separator unit to boost EV battery investments
The South Korea-based lithium-ion battery maker expects to receive battery materials in Georgia in the first half of the new year and "to start conducting necessary tests for actual production”, a spokesperson said.
The announcement came as the group confirmed it would supercharge investment in Georgia with 1.09 trillion won (£683m) in ‘green bonds’, which will be issued by its SK Battery America subsidiary next month.
SK Innovation said the investment boost would support construction of the second Georgia plant, while the first facility is now 90% complete.
Broke ground
In March 2019, SK innovation broke ground on the first manufacturing plant at a business park in Commerce, in Jackson County. Ground was broken for the second Commerce facility last July.
The group also expanded its original plans and invested an additional $940m to build a further 430,000-square-feet of manufacturing capacity at the business park.
Mass production is expected to start at the first Georgia plant in 2022, followed by the second EV battery facility in 2023. The plants are expected to have a combined annual production capacity of 21.5GWh.
Related article in our archive:
SK Innovation sells stake in separator unit to boost EV battery investments