Nanoramic Laboratories Secures $47.5 Million DOE Grant to Establish Lithium-Ion Battery Electrode Manufacturing Plant in Bridgeport, Connecticut[1][5]
Nanoramic Laboratories, a leading energy storage and advanced materials company, has been awarded a significant grant from the United States Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a lithium-ion battery electrode manufacturing plant. This grant, part of the DOE’s Advanced Energy Manufacturing and Recycling Program, totals $47.5 million and will enable Nanoramic to build a plant in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
The company, founded in 2009 out of MIT, has developed an innovative electrode technology called Neocarbonix. This technology aims to transform energy storage for electric vehicles by increasing energy density and longevity while reducing costs. Neocarbonix eliminates the need for toxic N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) solvent and fluorinated binders, such as Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), used in conventional battery manufacturing. Instead, it uses a hyper-conductive 3D nano-carbon binding structure that improves both the electroconnectivity and mechanical properties of the battery.
The new manufacturing plant in Bridgeport is expected to create over 200 jobs and will be a significant step in providing Neocarbonix lithium-ion batteries to the rapidly growing clean energy industry. The project will produce electrodes (cathode and anode) and will partner with cell manufacturers, material suppliers, and recyclers, including project collaborator Recyclico. Team member C4V, a New York State-based Li-ion battery technology company, will provide domestic cell assembly for the capacity of the plant and enhance engineering, procurement, and construction of the facility.
Dr. John Cooley, Chief Product Officer and founder of Nanoramic, expressed his excitement about the award, stating, “We are very pleased to take the next step in providing our Neocarbonix lithium-ion batteries to a rapidly growing clean energy industry and to play a key role in building domestic manufacturing of American-made lithium-ion battery innovations.” He emphasized the performance, cost, and sustainability advantages of Neocarbonix batteries, which reduce cost and increase throughput, making them easier to site, permit, and run efficiently.
The funding announcement was made by U.S. Senators Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal, and U.S. Representative Jim Himes, with the funding authorized under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law meant to support public transportation programs. Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont highlighted the importance of innovation in the state’s future, saying, “This is one of the most transformative companies in the country, deciding to locate in the great city of Bridgeport.”
Nanoramic’s decision to locate in Bridgeport was influenced by the state’s responsive and supportive environment, as well as its dense concentration of highly specialized manufacturing and engineering talent. The company had considered New York as a manufacturing locale but ultimately chose Connecticut for its first major factory.
The project aligns with the federal Inflation Reduction Act, which requires EV battery components to be assembled in North America to qualify a vehicle for a full tax credit of $7,500 for purchasers claiming it. This has automakers, including General Motors, a backer of Nanoramic, scrambling to ramp up production capacity where they can find it.
Nanoramic’s Neocarbonix technology promises significant improvements in battery performance, including charging times of under 15 minutes and a range extension of up to 30 percent. The technology also makes it easier to recycle battery components by eliminating plastic fluorinated binders used in today’s batteries to glue battery material together, which require toxic solvents to strip away.
The establishment of the manufacturing plant in Bridgeport is a significant step forward for Nanoramic and the clean energy industry, demonstrating the company’s commitment to innovation and sustainability. With the support of the DOE grant and the state of Connecticut, Nanoramic is poised to become a leader in advanced Li-ion battery technology.