SK On, Ford, EcoPro BM to establish cathode plant in Quebec, Canada

24 August 2023, 03:36:35

SK On announced it will establish a cathode manufacturing facility in Canada with global major automaker Ford Motor and cathode producer EcoPro BM as they joined a move to strengthen a value chain covering from key battery materials to electric vehicles (EVs). Cathode is a core material determining the performance of an EV battery.

The three companies announced that the cathode plant will be built on the 278,000 square-meter site in Bécancour, Quebec, after investing a total of C$1.2 billion. Under the deal, EcoPro CAM Canada, established by EcoPro BM in February, will manufacture cathode active materials, and SK On and Ford will become its shareholders once the deal, which is subject to regulatory approvals, is closed.

The federal government of Canada and the provincial government of Quebec welcomed the investment to the cathode production joint venture and promised financial assistance of C$644 million. They expressed expectations on job creation and growth of eco-friendly business, while hoping that the facility can play a key role in the battery supply chain.

The announcement came at an event held at a hotel in Bécancour where SK On Chief Commercial Officer Min-suk Sung, Ford Vice President of EV Industrialization Lisa Drake, EcoPro BM CEO Jai-hwan Joo and other 150 guests attended. Canadian Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry François-Philippe Champagne, Quebec Premier François Legault and South Korean Ambassador to Canada Lim Woong-soon represented the governments of Canada and South Korea.

The cathode JV will have an annual production capacity of 45,000 metric tons and is expected to be operational in the first half of 2026. The three companies have been closely working together to establish the cathode plant after signing a letter of intent(LOI) in July 2022.

News related to SK On, Ford or EcoPro BM

Ford and Geely Auto have set the stage for one of the most significant industrial shifts in Europe's automotive sector this decade, announcing a new joint venture that will turn Ford's Valencia, Spain, plant into a shared manufacturing hub for next‑generation multi‑energy vehicles. The partnership, revealed on July 23, 2026, aims to secure the long‑term future of the facility, boost competitiveness, and accelerate...

23 July 2026

Ford has taken a decisive step toward reshoring the electric‑vehicle supply chain in the United States, beginning production of lithium‑iron‑phosphate (LFP) battery cells at its new BlueOval Battery Park in Marshall, Michigan. The move positions Ford to become the first automaker to manufacture LFP cells domestically for mainstream consumer EVs, marking a major milestone in the company's next‑generation EV strategy...

19 June 2026

SK On is preparing a wide showcase for InterBattery 2026, which will be held from March 11 to 13 at COEX in Seoul, presenting technologies that reflect its expanding role in the global energy landscape. The company will highlight solutions that go beyond electric vehicles, extending into energy storage systems, robotics, and next‑generation industrial applications. The exhibition is organized into three thematic...

12 March 2026

Electric vehicle (EV) sales in the U.S. are booming - and Tesla and General Motors (GM) are at the front of the pack. Why the sudden surge? Many buyers were racing to take advantage of federal tax credits worth up to $7,500 before they expired in September, thanks to the Trump administration's "One Big Beautiful Bill Act." Tesla still holds the largest slice of the EV pie, delivering over 497,000 vehicles in Q3...

5 October 2025

Automakers in North America are increasingly reducing on‑the‑road prices for battery electric vehicles by amounts close to the former $7,500 federal tax credit. Manufacturers are applying the savings in different ways: permanent MSRP adjustments, time‑limited rebates applied at the point of sale, or larger dealer incentives that lower the cash price before financing or leasing. The strategy shortens the cash gap for...

5 October 2025

Ford has extended its EV offering again, bringing back a fan favorite - the Ford Capri. A classic sports coupe loved by families across Europe has been reborn for an electric generation, with a new look, still in keeping with its iconic design features, but now with a modern purpose. Ford has partnered with French football legend Eric Cantona to lead the reveal of the new Capri, seen fronting the company's launch of...

10 July 2024

The electric Mustang Mach-E model lineup continues to expand with a new Bronze Appearance Package available exclusively on the 2024 Mustang Mach-E GT. This latest offering encourages personalization synonymous with the Mustang brand. The 2024 Mustang Mach-E GT Bronze Appearance Package features: Striking 20-inch Sinister Bronze painted aluminum wheels Eye-catching Mustang “Mach-E 4X” door badges and rear GT Badge...

19 January 2024

The Elec has learned that SK On is turning its attention to 4680 batteries. So far, the company has worked oned prismatic and pouch-type batteries for EVs and ESS. Industry insiders have revealed that the company has appointed staff that has previously focused on prismatic cells to a 4680-cylinder cells research team. It is by the advanced process development head Lee Seung-roh. A research production line is also in...

8 December 2023

BASF and SK On have entered into an agreement to jointly evaluate collaboration opportunities in the global lithium-ion battery market focused on North America and Asia-Pacific. The collaboration brings together strong business and product development capabilities to develop industry-leading battery materials for lithium-ion batteries. BASF and SK On's initial focus will be evaluating collaboration options for...

15 November 2023

Korean news agency Yonhap reports that LG Energy Solution, Ford, and Koç Holding scrap plans to build an EV battery JV in Türkiye. Earlier this year, on February 22, the three companies signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to form a new joint venture to create one of Europe's largest commercial electric vehicle battery cell facilities near Ankara, Türkiye. The agreement was subject to final...

13 November 2023

The Elec reports that Ford has hired a former VP at Samsung SDI to develop EV batteries in its joint venture with SK On - Blue Oval SK. According to The Elec's sources, the company has appointed Kim Sung-hoon. He has experience and expertise in developing large batteries, manufacturing technologies such as stacking of battery materials, and production lines for them. It is expected that he will focus on battery...

8 November 2023

Polestar and South Korean battery manufacturer SK On have signed an agreement on the supply of battery cell modules for the forthcoming Polestar 5 electric 4-door GT. Polestar chose SK On due to its superior battery cell technology that offers high-performing chemistry, fast charging, efficient discharging, and superior driving range. The high-nickel battery cell modules comprise ultra-long 56 cm cells with high...

6 November 2023

Ford F-150 Lightning Flash debuts today - a tech-forward offering that brings together most of the current customers' favorite features for $69,995. The F-150 Lightning Flash expands on the XLT model line by adding in-demand tech capabilities, including an extended-range battery, which has a targeted EPA-estimated range of 320 miles, available Ford BlueCruise v1.2 hands-free highway driving, and a standard 15.5-inch...

3 October 2023

Business Korea reports that according to its industry and government sources, Samsung SDI and the Ulsan city officials are in talks regarding the expansion of the company's Ulsan plant with an LFP battery production line. If these talks lead to actual construction, this will be the first lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery production facility in South Korea. This type of battery is less efficient than the NMC one...

21 August 2023