Mayor Jim Hegadorn joined Umicore and members of provincial and federal government at a ground-breaking ceremony this week for the new battery materials production plant set to be built in Loyalist Township. The project is expected to cost nearly $2.8 billion.

The plant will serve the North American market for electric vehicle batteries. According to Umicore's website, the plant in Loyalist Township will be at the heart of Canada’s automotive technology cluster.  As part of Umicore’s goal to achieve carbon neutrality for two types of its greenhouse gas emissions by 2035, the plant will be using renewable energy only.

The construction phase is now officially underway. During this phase, the plant is expected to generate approximately 1,000 employment opportunities. Hundreds of highly-skilled positions, and student co-op positions will be created as well. The Government of Canada and the Ontario Government are both supporting the project financially. The factory is set to make the country and province leaders in North America for this segment of the electric vehicle supply chain. CEO of Umicore, Mathias Miedreich noted the government support.

“Umicore is proud and delighted with the unwavering support and financial backing of Canada and Ontario. Their readiness to co-fund our investment coupled with the announcement of our first customer contract for the Loyalist plant mean we can forge ahead with the construction,” said Miedreich.

Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, Vic Fedeli mentioned the plant's impact on the electric vehicle supply chain, as well as the jobs it will create.

“Umicore’s investment in Loyalist Township will further integrate Eastern Ontario into the province’s thriving end-to-end electric vehicle supply chain. This new investment will create more good-paying jobs for workers in the region and across the province. Our job is far from over as we work to create the right conditions for businesses and workers to succeed. ” said Fedeli.

Minister of Innovation Science and Industry François-Philippe Champagne explained why Umicore chose Loyalist Township.

"Canada has everything to be a global leader in the green economy: access to global markets, a talented workforce, clean energy, world-leading innovation ecosystems and all the critical mineral resources necessary to make EV batteries. This is the reason why Umicore has chosen Canada and Loyalist Township to build its new electric vehicle battery materials plant, one that will produce green battery components,” said Champagne.

Mayor Hegadorn noted the township's excitement.

"Since Umicore first announced the plans to build this facility in 2022, our community has been energized and eager to welcome them to Loyalist. Residents and business alike are anxiously watching the progression and waiting for this project's completion. Today's ground-breaking represents a huge step towards this goal." said Hegadorn.

The plant is expected to provide 800,000 electric vehicle batteries per year.

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