A subsidiary of Mumbai, India-based Epsilon Carbon Private Limited, EAM is slated to invest $649.9 million in the plant, which will be built at the Mid-Atlantic Rail Industrial Park in Brunswick County. It is expected to create 500 jobs with an average annual salary of $51,430. The North Carolina Department of Commerce led the state’s support for the company during its site evaluation and decision-making process.
EAM was established in 2018 to develop and manufacture “high-performance” graphite, which is used for anode components in lithium-ion batteries. According to the company, graphite anode materials aid in the faster charging of, long cycle life for, and safety of batteries, and the technology “has proven its scalability to mass production.” EAM’s new plant will produce synthetic graphite anode material, a key component in the batteries that power EVs and other energy storage systems.
Partnering on the project with the Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina were the North Carolina General Assembly, North Carolina Community College System, North Carolina Ports Authority, North Carolina Department of Transportation and Rail Division, North Carolina Railroad Company, GoldenLEAF Foundation, North Carolina’s Southeast, CSX, Duke Energy, Brunswick County, and Brunswick Business & Industry Development.
Through its economic development arm, NCRR Invests, North Carolina Railroad Company reported that it is investing approximately $500,000 to assist with the design and construction of on-site rail infrastructure and a rail spur for CSX, allowing for the annual shipment of more than 3,400 railcars.
“This facility is the largest Indian investment in the U.S. electric vehicle battery industry, and we’re proud to have North Carolina as the centerpiece of our U.S. manufacturing strategy,” said Vikram Handa, Founder and Managing Director of EAM, whose parent company recently collaborated with Finnish Minerals Group to establish a 50,000 TPA graphite anode plant in Finland. “Having an environmentally friendly world-class facility in North Carolina will allow EAM to provide synthetic and natural graphite anodes to the growing EV battery industry faster, more reliably and at a competitive cost.”
“North Carolina Railroad Company is thrilled to be part of yet another deal to make North Carolina a hub for electric vehicle manufacturing,” said President and CEO Carl Warren. “Our NCRR Invests program is uniquely positioned to help bring projects like this over the finish line by supporting rail infrastructure needs.”
“The importance of a strong, well-trained workforce cannot be underestimated, and I’m pleased the leaders at Epsilon Advanced Materials recognize North Carolina’s commitment to train and develop our workers,” North Carolina Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders said.
Separately, Vietnam-based VinFast in July 2024 will open its first North American electric vehicle (EV) assembly and battery manufacturing facility, valued at $4 billion, in Chatham County, N.C. North Carolina Railroad Company reported on March 29, 2022, that it would provide approximately $1 million to help construct an auto ramp, part of the rail infrastructure needed for CSX or Norfolk Southern (NS) to serve the site.
