sila opens us factory to make silicon anodes for energy-dense ev batteries

Sila Launches Advanced Battery Material Production in Washington State

Operations commenced on Tuesday at Sila’s new facility located in Moses Lake, Washington, representing a significant step towards the development of electric vehicles (EVs) with extended ranges and quicker charging capabilities. Initially, the plant will produce battery materials sufficient for 20,000 to 50,000 EVs.

Future expansions are planned to potentially meet the material demands of up to 2.5 million vehicles. This factory marks the first large-scale production site for silicon anodes in the Western Hemisphere.

The Promise of Silicon Anodes

Silicon anodes have the potential to increase the energy density of lithium-ion batteries by as much as 50%. Sila has dedicated the last 14 years to perfecting this technology, which CEO Gene Berdichevsky believes is crucial for the U.S. to establish leadership in the global battery market.

“Producing innovations domestically, where they are invented, offers considerable advantages,” Berdichevsky explained to TechCrunch.

Current Partnerships and Expanding Markets

Sila has already secured supply agreements with both Panasonic and Mercedes. While the automotive industry and its suppliers represent the primary target market, the company is also serving clients in the drone, satellite, and consumer electronics sectors.

Several companies are actively engaged in the development of silicon anode materials. Group14, also operating in Moses Lake, produces its unique blend at a facility co-developed with SK Innovation in South Korea. Amprius, based in Fremont, California, is currently manufacturing material at a megawatt-hour scale within the U.S., and at a gigawatt-hour scale through partnerships in China.

A First-of-its-Kind Facility

However, Berdichevsky asserts that Sila’s Moses Lake factory “is genuinely the first silicon anode plant built to automotive production scale in the United States.” The project was partially funded by $375 million in capital raised last year.

Strategic Location Advantages

Washington State proved to be an ideal location for the facility due to a combination of factors. These include access to affordable hydropower, ample land availability, and a local supplier of a vital raw material.

“Low-cost energy is a critical input for this technology, and we’ve secured that in Washington, along with access to essential precursors,” he stated.

Material Validation and Future Cost Benefits

Initial production runs at the Moses Lake facility will focus on verifying the consistency of the material with samples previously provided to customers. These samples were produced at Sila’s research and development facility in Alameda, California.

“We are confident in achieving consistency, but thorough validation is essential,” Berdichevsky added.

Within a few years, Sila anticipates that batteries utilizing its material will be more cost-competitive than those employing graphite anodes sourced from Western suppliers. While Chinese companies currently offer lower-priced graphite anodes, they benefit from substantial government subsidies and less stringent environmental regulations, according to Berdichevsky.

Reducing Battery Costs and Material Dependency

Silicon anodes could also enable automakers to decrease their reliance on expensive materials like nickel, without compromising battery performance. “This translates to equivalent performance, faster charging, domestic sourcing, and reduced costs,” he explained.

Expansion Plans and Long-Term Vision

Should demand remain strong, Sila intends to expand its operations beyond the Moses Lake location.

“Virtually every Western automotive CEO believes that within a decade, or perhaps fifteen years, their vehicle sales will be almost entirely electric,” Berdichevsky noted. “To support a projected 10 million EVs in the U.S. within ten years, multiple production sites will be necessary.”

The company also plans to extend its reach into Europe and Asia, but Berdichevsky, a native of Ukraine, remains deeply committed to manufacturing within the United States.

“A nation’s sense of pride is intrinsically linked to its ability to produce goods,” he emphasized. “It is vital for the U.S. to continually develop its manufacturing capabilities and build an ecosystem that ensures we do not fall behind in the future.”