Group14 Technologies, a leader in silicon-based battery materials, has been selected for an award negotiation of up to $200 million by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains. This award is part of the second set of projects funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, aimed at expanding domestic battery manufacturing for electric vehicles (EVs) and the electrical grid. The award will support Group14’s efforts to construct a U.S.-based silane manufacturing plant, a critical step in securing the supply chain for silicon battery production in the United States.
“The largest global source of silane today is China, so the supply of silane gas in the U.S. must be increased to secure the U.S. silicon battery industry,” said Rick Luebbe, CEO and Co-Founder of Group14 Technologies. “A new silane factory in Washington state will allow Group14 and other silicon battery companies in the U.S. to source this critical raw material domestically, to support EV-scale battery production and reduce foreign battery supply chain dependence.”
A Critical Step in Securing Silicon Battery Supply Chains
Manufacturing large commercial volumes of silicon-based battery materials in the U.S. requires access to substantial quantities of silane gas, a key raw material. Currently, the largest global source of silane gas is China, making the U.S. battery supply chain vulnerable to external disruptions. The project aims to install, commission, and operate a silane manufacturing plant in Washington state with an annual capacity of 7,200 metric tons. This new facility will directly supply silane to silicon battery plants in the U.S., mitigating a critical supply bottleneck for the industry.
The DOE award would enable Group14 to construct the silane factory using its proprietary intellectual property, which allows for silane production with significantly lower capital and energy requirements than conventional processes. Siting the plant in Moses Lake, Washington, will streamline logistics and ensure that the critical material remains within U.S. borders, enhancing the overall resilience and security of the domestic battery manufacturing industry.
Job Creation and Economic Impact
The silane factory is expected to create significant employment opportunities in the region. More than 300 jobs will be created during the construction phase, and 150 employees will be retained to oversee commissioning, ramp-up, and sustained production. This project aligns with the broader goals of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which seeks to strengthen domestic manufacturing capabilities and reduce dependence on foreign supply chains.
“Building this factory will not only secure a domestic supply of silane for silicon battery production but will also bring significant economic benefits to the local community,” said Luebbe. “We are proud to contribute to the growth of the U.S. battery industry and support the nation’s transition to a sustainable energy future.”
Scaling Global Manufacturing Capabilities
Group14 has been rapidly expanding its global manufacturing footprint to meet the growing demand for advanced silicon battery materials. The company’s Battery Active Materials (BAM-1) factory has been producing at a ton-scale since 2021, with shipments of SCC55™ reaching more than 100 customers representing 95% of the world’s lithium-ion battery production.
In addition to the new silane factory, Group14’s BAM-2 factory in Moses Lake is expected to become the world’s largest facility dedicated to advanced silicon battery materials, with an initial annual capacity of 4,000 tons of SCC55™, equivalent to 20 GWh of silicon battery material. The first 2,000 tons of capacity from BAM-2 are slated to begin production in Q4 2024. When combined with the company’s joint venture in South Korea, Group14 will have over 30 GWh of production capacity, positioning it as the leading EV-scale mass producer of advanced silicon materials.
“With the establishment of the silane plant and the expansion of our manufacturing capabilities, Group14 is poised to lead the way in advanced silicon battery materials,” added Luebbe. “We are committed to supporting the electrification of transportation and the energy grid with sustainable and domestically sourced solutions.”
SEO Keywords:
- Silane manufacturing plant
- Silicon battery materials
- U.S. battery manufacturing
- Group14 Technologies
