Cabot Corporation, a global specialty chemicals and performance materials company, announced it has been selected for an award negotiation of up to $50 million by the US Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains.
This grant, part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will support Cabot’s development of a new US-based manufacturing facility to produce battery-grade carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and conductive additive dispersions at commercial scale.
These materials are critical to the domestic lithium-ion battery supply chain for electric vehicles (EVs) and the electrical grid, helping to reduce reliance on imports. The DOE grant will cover nearly 30% of the total projected $181 million investment required for the project.
Cabot plans to revitalize, retrofit, and restore a former automotive site located in Wayne County, Michigan into the first US production facility for battery-grade CNTs and conductive additive dispersions. Cabot has partnered with the North American Building Trades Union (NABTU), the International Chemical Workers Union Council (ICWUC), and the Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council (MBCTC) to support this project.
The project is expected to create hundreds of new construction and full-time manufacturing jobs. This new manufacturing operation will enhance the domestic supply chain for critical battery materials and reduce reliance on foreign imports.
With a 140-year history of manufacturing excellence in the automotive supply chain, including over 15 years of experience supplying conductive additives to the battery industry, and with established relationships with top battery makers, Cabot is well-positioned to help strengthen US battery manufacturing capabilities.
In addition to its existing production of battery-grade conductive additives and carbon nanostructures in the US, this investment in CNT and dispersion production will further enable Cabot to deliver localized, tailor-made solutions that meet the specific requirements of customers’ chosen battery chemistries, including domestic EV manufacturers.
Cabot’s contributions extend beyond conductive additives, including aerogels for improved thermal management, metal oxides for cathode durability, and advanced carbons for fuel cell optimization, all vital for the next generation of sustainable energy technologies.
“This investment will not only help us scale our production of critical battery materials, but it will also benefit the community by creating high-quality green energy jobs,” said Sean Keohane, president and CEO, Cabot Corporation. “We look forward to working closely with the DOE and our partners to ensure the success of this important project.”
Filed Under: Batteries, Technology News