JEFFERSON PARISH, La. (WGNO) — A Japanese chemical company announced a $500 million project to bring a battery ingredient facility to Jefferson Parish.
Louisiana Economic Development leaders said the $500 million investment from UBE Corporation will bring “the first U.S. manufacturing facility for key electric vehicle (EV) Lithium Ion Battery (LiB)” to the Cornerstone Energy Park.
According to LED leaders, the project is expected to bring new company jobs to the area and about 300 construction jobs.
They said the chemicals produced at the facility, dimethyl carbonate and ethyl methyl carbonate, are used to make an electrolyte that extends the lithium ion battery life and driving range for electric cars.
LED leaders said the company predicts 100,00 metric tons of dimethyl carbonate and 40,000 metric tons of ethyl methyl carbonate will be produced per year at the facility.
“This $500 million investment reinforces Louisiana’s leadership in the electric vehicle battery components supply chain, and is another win for southeast Louisiana’s manufacturing workforce, which is second to none,” said LED Secretary Susan Bonnett Bourgeois.
Construction is set to start in 2026, pending permit approvals.
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