Ford Building Cathode Plant in Québec

What’s missing is the reason for the potential Unifor strike – workers.

SK On, EcoProBM and Ford Canada said today they are spending C$1.2 billion to build a cathode manufacturing plant to provide materials and eventually supply batteries for Ford electric vehicles. Once production begins in the first half of 2026, the plant will have the capacity to produce up to 45,000 tons of CAM annually. The new facility, Ford’s first investment in Québec, is part of the automaker’s plan to localize key battery raw material processing in regions where it produces EVs.

 “Ford has been serving customers in Canada for 119 years, longer than any other automaker, and we’re excited to invest in this new facility to create a vertically integrated, closed-loop battery manufacturing supply chain in North America designed to help make electric vehicles more accessible for millions of people over time,” said Bev Goodman, president and CEO, Ford of Canada.

The announcement comes at a time when Ford is facing an impending strike from Unifor, which represents all Canadian autoworkers. (AutoInformed:  New Pattern Bargaining – UAW and Unifor Strike All Makers?; EV Battery Gold Rush: Ford Has New Battery Capacity Plan; Hyundai Motor Group, SK On Approve US Battery Cell JV)

EcoPro will manufacture cathode active materials and Nickel Cobalt Manganese (NCM) for rechargeable batteries that are targeting greater performance levels and improved EV range compared to existing products, thanks in part to EcoPro’s core shell gradient (CSG) technology.

Construction has begun on the 280,000 square-meter (~+3 million square-feet) site. It will include a six-floor building that will house ~345 new jobs for Canada, engineers and sales and service professionals to co-op positions for students from local universities and colleges in Québec. EcoPro CAM Canada LP also will pursue research and development activities aiming at increasing battery safety and performance as well as increasing productivity and minimizing the environmental footprint of its manufacturing process.

EcoProBM established EcoPro CAM Canada LP in February. SK On and Ford will become investors once the deal is closed; the joint venture is subject to closing conditions and regulatory approvals. EcoProBM will oversee the day-to-day operations of the facility.