Albemarle Corporation, a pioneer in the leading global chemicals industry, announced that it had acquired a site in Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S., to build the Albemarle Technology Park. The company will invest at least 180 million dollars in constructing a world-class facility to boost novel materials research and advanced process development and accelerate the introduction of next-generation lithium products to the market.
According to Kent Masters, the CEO of Albemarle, "Albemarle Technology Park is part of our mine-to-market innovation strategy to invest in the U.S. EV battery supply chain and to be a leader in advanced lithium materials for next-generation energy storage. This facility will focus and accelerate our lithium technology leadership, better enabling the world's transition to more sustainable energy." (Source: prnewswire.com).
The company believes that breakthroughs from the new facility will improve lithium recovery, optimize production methods, and discover new forms of lithium that will enable battery performance improvements.
The State of North Carolina awarded nearly $13 million as an incentive package to Albemarle for developing an advanced product innovation, process development, and lithium materials research facility in Mecklenburg County. As a part of the Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG), this incentive package will support a portion of Albemarle's investment to redevelop the former IBM and Flextronics facility. The company anticipates creating over 200 jobs on-site, with an average annual salary of $94,000. Specifically, the team aims to triple the Ph.D. holding professionals in Albemarle Technology Park.
The vision for Albemarle Technology Park (ATP) covers novel lithium materials, manufacturing processes, and the commercialization of new products in close collaboration with strategic customers. The company expects ATP to become a lithium innovation hub that establishes technology leadership in the fast-expanding EV industry in the Southeast U.S. through co-locating essential operations and collaborations.
The organization predicts that the improved process technologies developed at the ATP will promote sustainability by decreasing energy and water consumption, unlocking new lithium resources, and enabling lithium recovery at end-of-life through economic recycling. Albemarle anticipates initial occupancy of ATP by early 2025 and a complete ATP campus by late 2026.
About Albemarle Corporation
Albemarle is a frontrunner in lithium, bromine, and catalysts. The company aims to think beyond the norm to unlock the potential of companies in critical industries such as transportation, energy, and electronics. With highly talented and knowledgeable international teams, deeply rooted values, and a collaborative customer relationship approach, Albemarle is developing performance-based solutions that enable a safer and more sustainable future.