Extracting resources from the ground. - Saxony charts a path for the battery sector within the region.
Saxony is gearing up for the manufacture of the next generation of batteries. "Setting up our own production facilities in Europe holds great strategic importance," remarked Saxony's Economy Minister Martin Dulig (SPD) at a recent cabinet meeting in Dresden. His ministry had briefed the cabinet on the upcoming funding of two companies - the Zinnwald Lithium GmbH and the US-American Group14 Silane GmbH - which is expected to result in investments surpassing 800 million euros and the addition of at least 550 jobs.
In addition to minimizing dependencies on Chinese battery materials, Economic State Secretary Thomas Kralinski highlighted the significance of this move in increasing battery performance. "Saxon companies will play a crucial role in making future transportation more affordable, comfortable, and eco-friendly."
This initiative is monetarily supported by the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework (TCTF), a time-limited funding tool from the EU that aids in anchoring the production of climate-neutral, strategically important technology in Europe. The German government will chip in with 70% of the funds, while Saxony contributes 30%. For Saxony, around 50 million euros have been earmarked for the cause.
Group14 Silane GmbH is a subsidiary of Group14 Technologies Inc. and plans to construct a factory to manufacture silicon battery materials on-site. On the other hand, Zinnwald Lithium GmbH aims to implement one of the largest lithium mining projects in Europe by 2030 in Altenberg in the Ore Mountains, complete with an underground mine. Their goal is to refine lithium for around 600,000 automotive batteries annually.
