The lithium battery technology company Pure Lithium Corporation is moving its entire operation from Boston to Chicago this year, according to a July 10 press release from Gov. JB Pritzker’s Office.
“I am excited to welcome the team at Pure Lithium to our state, where they’ll be an excellent addition to the business landscape and burgeoning clean energy ecosystem,” Pritzker said in the release. “Their investment will not only create jobs and economic opportunity for our people but help power the green revolution right here in Illinois.”
Here’s what we know.
What is the Pure Lithium Corporation?
The Boston-based battery technology company was established in 2020 and “is breaking the boundaries of energy storage” by “(unlocking) the power of lithium metal,” according to Pure Lithium’s website.
After completing its research and development phase in Boston, the company is moving its entire operation to Chicago and expanding to include production and manufacturing, the press release says.
“Pure Lithium’s $46 million investment, bolstered by the Reimagining Energy and Vehicles in Illinois … program, will enable the company to manufacture the first commercially viable lithium metal battery in Illinois,” the release explains, “with plans to target the drone and defense, consumer electronics, grid-scale energy storage systems and electric vehicle markets, while supporting the state’s clean energy economy. “
Why is Pure Lithium moving to Chicago?
The city’s “robust infrastructure and qualified workforce of technicians and highly trained engineers” are key resources for the company, according to the release.
The move also brings the company closer to Argonne National Laboratory, one of the nation’s leading scientific institutions. Pure Lithium and Argonne are currently collaborating on a project with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy that focuses on scaling lithium metal anode production using recycled lithium metal.
The press release says the company decided on Illinois after exploring options in different cities and states, saying the state “provides the best opportunities to achieve its goal of commercialization.”
Where is Pure Lithium headquarters moving to in Chicago?
The release says the company is planning to open its new facility this year in Chicago’s Fulton Market district.
“Our new facility in Chicago aligns with the company’s long-term operational goals and growth strategy,” Pure Lithium Founder and CEO Emilie Bodoin said. “This is a decisive step in the company’s transition from pure (research and development) to scaling up for commercial production.”
How many jobs is Pure Lithium bringing to Illinois?
The company is committing to investing $46 million and moving jobs to Illinois and/or creating 50 new jobs, according to the press release.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Lithium battery company moving operation to Illinois this year. See where it’s setting up shop
Reporting by Hannah Hudnall, USA TODAY NETWORK / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
