U.S. Arcanum to Receive $50 Million for Battery-Grade Ethylene Carbonate Plant

en.Wedoany.com Reported - Arcanum Ventures, LLC has been selected by the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation to receive $50 million in federal funding to develop and construct a commercial-scale, battery-grade ethylene carbonate production facility on the U.S. Gulf Coast. The funding remains subject to the completion of award negotiations with the U.S. Department of Energy.

The facility will utilize proven chemical process technology to convert ethylene oxide and carbon dioxide into high-purity ethylene carbonate. Ethylene carbonate is a key solvent in lithium-ion battery electrolytes, and U.S. supply of this material is currently almost entirely dependent on imports. The project plans to leverage existing domestic chemical manufacturing infrastructure and co-locate with facilities that can provide precursor materials, utilities, and supporting services.

This funding is part of the third round of the U.S. Department of Energy's "Battery Materials Processing" and "Battery Manufacturing and Recycling" programs, which collectively provide $500 million to seven projects aimed at expanding U.S. capabilities in critical minerals and materials processing, battery manufacturing, and recycling. Other selected projects include Lilac Solutions (lithium extraction and refining facility in Utah), Jervois (cobalt refinery), and Nth Cycle (black mass processing).

Arcanum is headquartered in Texas and operates a chemical manufacturing site spanning over 300 acres in Baytown, featuring three production facilities. Pat Geer, the company's Chief Commercial Officer, stated that the project aims to leverage the scale and cost advantages of the U.S. chemical industry to establish a reliable and competitive domestic supply of battery-grade ethylene carbonate.