CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – It’s been over a year since LG Chem announced it will be building a $3.2 billion plant in Clarksville to aid in the production of electric vehicle batteries. This week, state and local leaders and corporate officers gathered for a groundbreaking ceremony at the 420-acre site just east of Exit 4.

CEO of LG Chem Hak-Cheol Shin thanked Clarksville-Montgomery County and spoke on the importance of becoming leaders in the EV battery industry.

“Looking back the last two years and all the discussions and dialogues leading up to this historic day, I cannot help but feeling mesmerized by unflinching and unwavering support and cooperation and commitment given to LG Chem by the state and the local community,” Shin said at Tuesday’s event. “LG Chem is bringing the world’s best cathode material technologies in terms of innovative chemistry and state-of-the-art manufacturing processes to this Clarksville site.”

Cathode material is one part of a single battery in electric vehicles. In total, there are four components:

1. Cathode material
2. Separator
3. Electrolytes
4. Anode material

The cathode material helps determine the distance an electric vehicle can travel on a single charge. Most recently, LG Chem helped produce a battery capable of traveling 310 miles.

60,000 tons of cathode material is expected to be produced each year when the plant is at full operation. This is enough material to be used in 600,000 high-performance electric vehicles.

Economy and education

LG Chem will bring about 86o high-paying jobs, with about 300 of those paying over $100,000. “LG Chem is a quality brand, we are excited to have them in our region,” said Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts. “They are adding to what’s already a robust economy.”

Pitts also talked about the effect the LG Chem plant will have on the education system in Clarksville. “It’s exceptional that our education institutions … will have an integral part of growing the work force, and not just in numbers, but depth.”

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Austin Peay State University will be a key partner in preparing the local work force for opportunities at the new plant. “It’s a fantastic opportunity for Austin Peay,” said APSU President Michael Licari. “LG Chem is interested in making sure they have a good supply of employees to hire, and we are excited to be able to prepare all of these well-educated students, who will graduate from Austin Peay be able to get high-paying jobs right here in Clarksville, right after graduation.”

Timeline toward opening

LG Chem is partnering with JE Dunn Construction, middle Tennessee’s largest general contractor, for Phase 1 of construction. Phase 1 is expected to be completed by 2025. By 2028, the plant is expected be running af full capacity, reaching 60,000 tons mark of cathode material each year.

Keeping in line with LG Chem’s vision of global carbon emissions at net zero, the plant will run solely on renewable energy sources, solar and wind.