Expansion in Tennessee Aims to Boost Graphite Production and Create Jobs
Novonix, an Australian-listed battery materials and technology company, has acquired land in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to construct its second mass production plant. The project is partially funded by a $1.2 billion loan from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). This new facility, named Novonix Enterprise South, will be located in the Enterprise South Industrial Park and is expected to reach full production capacity of 31,500 tons per annum (tpa) by 2028, creating 500 full-time jobs. Together with Novonix’s existing 20,000 tpa Riverside facility in Chattanooga, the company’s production capacity will surpass 50,000 tpa by 2028.
Strategic Partnerships and Technological Advancements
In addition to the expansion, Novonix has entered into a licensing agreement with Harper International Corporation, a long-standing technology partner, to secure exclusive rights to its induction-based graphitization furnace technology. This collaboration began in 2020 to develop advanced furnace technology for synthetic graphite anode production, catering to the growing demand in the lithium-ion battery sector.
Strengthened Ties and Future Outlook
Novonix CEO Dr. Chris Burns highlighted the company’s collaboration with Chattanooga’s local authorities and its commitment to fostering growth in the region. “Securing this site for our expansion showcases the strong partnership we’ve built with the city, county, and state. With binding offtake agreements to supply synthetic graphite to Panasonic Energy, Stellantis, and PowerCo, our Riverside facility is at capacity, and we eagerly anticipate launching operations at Enterprise South,” Burns stated.
The DOE loan, approved in December 2024, provides critical funding to support the development of Novonix Enterprise South. As the first large-scale North American producer of high-performance synthetic graphite for batteries, Novonix’s expanded operations will play a pivotal role in strengthening the domestic supply chain for clean energy technologies.
