Koura, a division of Orbia’s Fluorinated Solutions business, revealed that it is investigating two expansion projects at its factory in Iberville Parish. These projects would assist the supply chain for lithium-ion battery manufacture in America and allow for the annual production of 1.7 million electric vehicles domestically.
Building a $400 million global production facility to create LiPF6, a component that permits power to flow through lithium-ion batteries, is the first project that has been proposed. According to Koura, this factory would be the first of its sort in the United States and generate 10,000 metric tons of LiPF6 annually.
In addition, the business has suggested investing an extra $400 million to construct a second new production facility, which could produce 40,000 metric tons of R-142b yearly. One of the main components of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), a vital binding agent for the manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries, is R-142b.
“Governor John Bel Edwards stated that the expansion of Kocha is an excellent illustration of how promoting clean energy and emission reduction initiatives can strengthen our state’s well-established petrochemical industry and stimulate economic growth.” “If these projects are successful, Louisiana will play a major role in supporting the American EV battery supply chain and offering our skilled workforce years of high-paying employment opportunities.”
Koura anticipates keeping 80 present workers while creating 100 direct new jobs with an average yearly pay of $80,000 across the two projects, if the plans proceed as planned. At the height of construction for both sites, it also projects the creation of almost 2,000 new construction employment. According to projections from Louisiana Economic Development, the projects would create 383 new employments in the Capital Region overall, including 283 new indirect jobs.
Director of Growth Operations Erick Comeaux of Koura stated, “Orbia’s Fluorinated Solutions business, Koura, is uniquely positioned to leverage our innovative ‘mine-to-market’ capability to enhance the domestic lithium-ion battery supply chain.” “We will preserve current jobs while creating new chances for U.S. energy security with the expansion of our strategically positioned location in St. Gabriel. Working toward a sustainable future to satisfy contemporary demands for resilience and energy independence, both in Louisiana and globally, is part of our commitment to improving life on Earth.
