Group14 Technologies has received a $200 million grant to build a plant in Moses Lake, Washington, that will produce silane gas, an essential ingredient for manufacturing its next-generation battery materials. The startup is already constructing a factory in Moses Lake that is anticipated to become the world’s largest manufacturer of a patented silicon-carbon battery material. The new funding was allocated by Congress in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy, supporting the Biden administration’s goal of strengthening U.S. battery production, which has been largely outsourced to foreign countries over the years.
Group14, along with other battery startups, is using silane to make silicon battery materials that can improve battery performance by up to 50% and provide faster charging. The company aims to establish a domestic supply chain for silane, as most of the world’s silane is currently made in China. The construction of the silane facility is expected to take a couple of years, with an annual capacity of 7,200 metric tons. Group14 plans to produce a surplus of gas that can be sold to others, further supporting the development of the domestic supply chain for essential battery materials.
Moses Lake has become a hub for battery manufacturing startups due to its proximity to affordable clean energy and REC Silicon, the only U.S. company producing silane. However, the majority of the silicon produced in Moses Lake has been taken by the solar panel maker Hanwha Solutions, leaving insufficient supply for battery materials companies like Group14 and others. Nonetheless, Group14 is moving forward with its plans to establish a silane plant in Moses Lake and expand its manufacturing capabilities in the region.
Group14 has also purchased Schmid Silicon Technology Holding last year and is working to restart the company’s silane gas plant in southeast Germany. The site is expected to start operating within a year, further expanding the company’s silane production capabilities. Additionally, Group14 and SK materials have commissioned a silicon anode manufacturing factory in South Korea, making it the first large-scale silicon battery material factory in the world. The startup has already sent its anode material to 100 customers for validation and predicts that it could start going into EV batteries by the end of next year.
The investments in Group14’s manufacturing facilities in Moses Lake, South Korea, and Germany highlight the company’s commitment to establishing a strong presence in the global battery market and leading the way in the production of next-generation battery materials. By securing grants and partnerships with other companies, Group14 is positioning itself as a key player in the transition to silicon-based batteries, which are in high demand for various applications, including electric vehicles and personal electronics. The company’s expansion into silane production and battery material manufacturing facilities in different regions signals the beginning of the silicon battery era and a significant step towards achieving a more sustainable and efficient energy storage system.
