Anthro Energy has begun construction on a Louisville facility designed to produce battery electrolytes, aiming to support U.S. supply chains and advance solid-state battery technology.

Anthro Energy broke ground on Tuesday on a new factory in Louisville, Kentucky, capable of producing enough battery materials for over 300,000 electric vehicles. The facility, which is scheduled to begin production in 2028, aims to provide a domestic, non-Chinese source of electrolytes for the U.S. battery industry. The project is supported by federal funding and state tax incentives.

Funding and Production Goals

The project received a $24.9 million award from the Department of Energy under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, along with $18.4 million in investment tax credits via the Inflation Reduction Act. The state of Kentucky provided $2.3 million in tax incentives, contingent on the creation of 110 permanent jobs. The factory is designed to produce 25 gigawatt-hours of electrolytes annually, with a location chosen for its proximity to 70% of existing U.S. battery production facilities.

Advancing Solid-State Technology

The facility will initially produce a range of electrolytes, with plans to eventually focus on Anthro’s proprietary polymer, Proteus. This material is designed to integrate into existing production lines, potentially facilitating the transition to solid-state and semi-solid-state batteries. Anthro’s manufacturing process involves an electrolyte that is liquid during initial cell assembly before firming up, which the company claims creates a stronger, flexible battery cell that reduces fire risks and prevents short circuits caused by dendrites.