Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was joined by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, François-Philippe Champagne, and Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, Vic Fedeli in Kingston to announce a massive industrial plant set to be built in the Loyalist Township.
The announcement was made at Queen’s University’s Mitchell Hall on Wednesday morning.
The 1.5 billion dollar project is owned by Belgian company Umicore N.V, and by the end of the decade is expected to produce enough precursor cathode active materials (pCAM) and cathode active materials (CAM) to supply batteries for one million electric vehicles annually.
While utilizing minerals like nickel and cobalt in the production of batteries, the plant would also provide a connection to Northern Ontario’s mineral sector.
Umicore’s CEO Mathias Miedreich said the province is poised and ready for sustainable, end-to-end production of electric vehicle materials.
“Canada and the province of Ontario have all it takes for Umicore to establish a full-fledged, sustainable supply chain for battery materials, all the way from the mine right to the end-market of electric vehicles,” Miedreich said.
“The facility will help Canada and Umicore in their shared objective of achieving a carbon-neutral battery supply chain.”
Justin Trudeau said in a news release that the plant will help Canada move closer towards it’s environmental goals while also creating a significant number of jobs in the Loyalist Township.
“Today’s announcement is about creating jobs, cutting pollution, and building a stronger, cleaner economy for Canadians,” Trudeau said.
“Umicore’s intention to establish its new facility in Loyalist Township is another major step forward as we make Canada a global leader in producing electric vehicles – from minerals to manufacturing. With over 1,000 good jobs to build the plant, and hundreds of permanent positions once it is up and running, this new facility will play an important role in Canada’s clean automotive sector well into the future.”
Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford says the investment accelerates the province’s 10 year vision for the auto industry.
“Today is another perfect example that our plan to rebuild Ontario’s auto industry is gaining speed and will deliver huge wins for communities,” said Premier Doug Ford in a release.
“Ontario has everything it needs, up and down our homegrown supply chain, to remain and strengthen its position as a North American auto manufacturing powerhouse. Umicore plans to bring this part of the EV supply chain to Ontario which will continue to transform our auto sector and create good jobs.”
Construction of the plant will begin in 2023, and is expected to be complete in 2025.
