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Green New Energy Materials, Inc., an experienced manufacturer of a key component used in lithium-ion batteries will establish its first manufacturing operation in the United States in Lincoln County, creating 545 jobs. The company will invest $140 million in its new operation in Denver.

"North Carolina’s momentum in the clean energy economy grows stronger every day, bringing great manufacturing jobs that will put money in the pockets of families in Lincoln County and across the state,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “This investment is yet another example of the economic prosperity that clean energy can bring to our communities.”

Green New Energy Materials (GNEM), with strategic partners such as LG, Samsung, SKI, AESC and Northvolt, manufactures battery separator products for the lithium-ion battery industry. The company specializes in research and development, manufacturing, and sales of these important battery components, widely used in electric vehicles, energy storage, electric tools, and other industrial applications. The company’s new facility in Lincoln County will be its first in the United States and will manufacture these battery separator components to supply customers across North America.

The announcement Thursday (May 2nd) follows on the heels of the NC Mining Commission's approval of a mining permit for Piedmont Lithium to establish a lithium processing facility in Gaston County between Crouse and Cherryville.  Piedmont Lithium had presented its plan to Gaston County commissioners in August 2021.  The proposed mine has drawn much criticism from local residents who have expressed concerns over its possible effect on water supplies from resident-owned wells among other issues.  During the second half of the 20th Century, much of the world's lithium came from the Lithium Corporation of America located between Bessemer City & Kings Mountain.  

Since lithium is used in batteries for electric vehicles, the worldwide demand has grown exponentially.  Currently, much of the lithium mininig in the world is in Australia and most of the lithium is processed in China.  Piedmont Lithium says it will invest about $840 million in the Gaston County mining operation; but before it can take place, rezoning will have to be approved by Gaston County commissioners--and that isn't expected until July or August at the earliest.  The GNEM project is not dependent on the approval of that lithium mining operation.

“We would like to thank the strong and unwavering support from the State of North Carolina and Lincoln County for our project.” said Jay Zhu, GNEM General Manager. “The United States has always been a key component of GNEM’s strategic plan of establishing clean energy supply chains worldwide. We are bringing technologies refined for decades to the center of clean energy transformation. GNEM will establish a state-of-the-art manufacturing base and create more than 500 futureproof jobs."

Although wages will vary depending on the position, the average salary for all the new positions will be $57,934. The current average wage in Lincoln County is $51,886.

“Green New Energy Materials’ decision is a major vote of confidence in Lincoln County and our people, and we couldn’t be more pleased,” said NC Senator Ted Alexander.

“The company leaders at GNEM evaluated many locations across the country before choosing Lincoln County for their future growth plans,” said NC Representative Jason Saine. “We welcome these new jobs and investment to our region.”

Partnering with the North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina in securing this project were the North Carolina General Assembly, the North Carolina Community College System, Duke Energy, Commerce’s Division of Workforce Solutions, Lincoln County, and the Lincoln Economic Development Association.

[Portions of this article are from a NC Dept. of Commerce news release.]

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