On January 21, 2025, Forge Battery, the commercial lithium-ion battery production subsidiary of Forge Nano, Inc., announced the completion of contract negotiations securing $100 million in non-dilutive funding from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC). The funding agreement, finalized on January 14, 2025, is intended to support the expansion of Forge Battery’s lithium-ion battery gigafactory located in North Carolina.
The $100 million investment will be utilized to increase the gigafactory’s production capacity to 3 gigawatt-hours per year (GWh/year). When combined with an additional $140 million from Forge Battery, the funding—provided through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law—will contribute to bolstering the United States’ renewable energy supply chain. The expansion is expected to facilitate the production of high-quality lithium-ion cells that are both designed and manufactured domestically, thus supporting innovation within the U.S. energy sector.
“The Department of Energy has been crucial to our future success,” said Paul Lichty, CEO of Forge Nano, the parent company of Forge Battery. “We expect to showcase the United States’ competitiveness in lithium-ion cell performance, safety, and manufacturing. Forge Battery is ready to power tomorrow’s most critical battery-powered innovations.”
In preparation for the expansion, Forge Battery has commenced cell production at a new supplemental manufacturing line in Colorado. This facility is designed to accelerate cell production trials and support customers and partners by providing cell samples. The company plans to produce 21700 cell products on the new manufacturing line before transitioning production to the Morrisville gigafactory in North Carolina.
Construction on the North Carolina gigafactory expansion is anticipated to begin in early 2025. The project aligns with national efforts to enhance domestic manufacturing capabilities and advance renewable energy technologies. By increasing production capacity, Forge Battery aims to meet the growing demand for lithium-ion batteries in various applications, including electric vehicles and energy storage systems.
The collaboration between Forge Battery and the Department of Energy reflects a shared commitment to advancing clean energy solutions and reinforcing the United States’ position in the global battery manufacturing industry.
Source: Forge Battery
