A new company says it plans to create hundreds of jobs with a gigafactory to make batteries for electric vehicles, with the UK a possible location.
Anglo-Korean firm Eurocell – a joint venture between Worcester-based FIC EMEA and Korean battery firms Eurocell, FIC Advanced Materials and Indong Advanced Materials – says it wants to invest £600 million to build a factory in western Europe, with the UK, Netherlands and Spain all being considered.
If the plans come to fruition, the host country would benefit from the creation of hundreds of jobs and the company is now looking for government support in deciding which country it will choose.
Eurocell claims it is able to build its gigafactory faster than other companies because it has a proven battery product which is ready for mass manufacturing.
The UK currently has two gigafactories being built: the Britishvolt plant at Cambois, in Northumberland, and the enlarged Envision AESC factory near the Nissan plant at Sunderland.
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Both have received Government support, while there are also plans for a battery gigafactory near Coventry.
Recardo Bruins, chief executive of the EMEA region for Eurocell, said: “Eurocell in the UK is a new company, led by a highly experienced UK team and backed by our South Korean partner with decades of experience in electro-chemistry, making batteries at mass-scale and building the Gigafactories to produce them.
“Now we are planning to rapidly expand in Europe, supplying the energy storage and automotive industries with our market-leading technologies that last longer, perform better and are 100 per cent safe. These products can be on the market in months, not years.
“To fulfil our mission, we are actively seeking a European manufacturing base and are in advanced discussions with sites in the UK, Netherlands and Spain.
“With the right level of central engagement and support we are keen to take advantage of the rapidly growing European market as quickly as possible.”
Eurocell said it intended to build its gigafactory in two phases and could begin producing advanced battery cells at scale by early 2023 for existing customers.
A larger plant would be built at the same time capable of producing more than 40 million cells per year by 2025.
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