Forge Battery Secures $100M DOE Funding for North Carolina Gigafactory Expansion
Forge Battery, a subsidiary of Forge Nano, has finalized a $100 million funding agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to expand its lithium-ion battery production capacity in North Carolina. The funding, part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), was secured through the DOE's Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC) on January 14, 2025.
The $100 million in non-dilutive funding will be combined with $140 million from Forge Battery to increase the Morrisville gigafactory’s production capacity to 3 gigawatt hours (GWh) per year. This expansion is part of a broader effort to strengthen the United States' renewable energy supply chain and reduce reliance on foreign-made lithium-ion batteries. The facility is expected to produce high-performance 21700 lithium-ion cells for use in advanced renewable energy and battery-powered innovations.
“Forge Battery is ready to power tomorrow’s most critical battery-powered innovations,” said Paul Lichty, CEO of Forge Nano. “The Department of Energy has been crucial to our future success, allowing us to demonstrate U.S. competitiveness in lithium-ion cell performance, safety, and manufacturing.”
The company has already begun lithium-ion cell production trials on a supplemental manufacturing line in Colorado, providing samples to customers and partners. These operations are expected to transition to the expanded gigafactory in North Carolina once upgrades are completed.
The DOE funding underscores the U.S. government’s commitment to fostering domestic battery production, aligning with national goals to bolster clean energy infrastructure and improve supply chain resilience. Forge Battery’s project also supports local job creation and innovation in the battery manufacturing sector.
