Belgium-based electric vehicle battery materials producer IONWAY has selected Nysa in Poland as the location for its first cathode active materials (CAM) production facility.
IONWAY is a joint venture (JV) between chemical manufacturing company Umicore and Volkswagen Group-owned PowerCo. This new facility will be built next to Umicore’s existing CAM plant.
The JV is increasing its e-mobility business presence in the EU and has set a goal of reaching an annual production capacity of 160GWh by the end of the 2020s. Umicore CEO Mathias Miedreich stated: “We are thankful for the Polish government’s support in IONWAY’s choice for Nysa.
“The strategic location of the joint venture’s battery materials plant in Poland, right next to Umicore’s own battery materials plant, which is still unique in Europe, will further enable the transition to electric driving that is truly sustainable.”
The Polish government is backing the JV’s investment in Nysa, which is expected to create 900 industry jobs by the end of the 2020s.
The government is also offering IONWAY €350m ($368.94m) in cash grants under its Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework for an overall investment of €1.7bn (€1.35bn after grants) by 2030.
Site preparation, engineering and permits are currently in progress. Following these, the facility is anticipated to commence production. IONWAY selected Nysa for its access to renewable energy sources to fuel the facility’s manufacturing process, a trained workforce and government funding.
IONWAY CEO Thomas Jansseune stated: “Today’s launch of IONWAY signals PowerCo and Umicore’s commitment to sustainable progress that makes electric cars affordable for everybody, starting now.”