Orbia and Solvay to build PVDF facility for Li-ion production in North America

Orbia’s Fluorinated Solutions business and Solvay have signed a joint venture agreement to create a large polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) production facility for battery materials in North America. This partnership enables secure supply with Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) compliant materials and PVDF technology, which are critical for the North American electric vehicle (EV) transition.

With significant expected growth of the U.S. EV and stationary energy storage market, demand for lithium-ion batteries will grow considerably and require a robust, secure, and local supply chain.

“We are proud of this important project, which is a key milestone in our electrification strategy and emphasizes our global commitment to sustainable mobility,” says Ilham Kadri, CEO of Solvay. “Our partnership with Orbia enables us to implement an independent, sustainable EV battery supply chain in North America and create new clean energy jobs.”

The Orbia-Solvay partnership secures supply of minerals and intermediate materials from Orbia, from which Solvay will manufacture suspension-grade PVDF: a lithium-ion binder and separator coating in electric vehicle (EV) batteries. Solvay brings process technology and global market know-how to this venture. In combination, Solvay’s Solef PVDF innovations and Orbia’s material assets and production expertise will enable delivery of PVDF that allows electric vehicles to go further on each charge by extending battery life and improving battery safety in turn.

Orbia and Solvay intend to use two production sites: one in Augusta, Georgia for finished products, and one in St. Gabriel, Louisiana for raw material conversion to needed intermediates. Both plants are expected to be operational in 2026.

“Our partnership with Solvay underscores our continued commitment to enabling the clean energy transition with our investments in energy materials,” says Sameer Bharadwaj, CEO of Orbia. “Orbia has a unique ‘mine-to-market’ position with integration in IRA compliant key battery materials that will bolster North America’s EV supply chain.”

Orbia’s participation in this joint venture contributes to their overall strategic position as a key supplier of battery materials, including electrolyte salts such as LiPF6, custom electrolyte formulations, specialty battery additives, and recycled anodes.