China Electric to Set Up Biggest LiFePO4 Li-ion Battery Plant

Taipei, July 26, 2010 (CENS)--Taiwan-based China Electric Mfg. Corp., a leading lighting product maker on the island, and Golden Crown Energy Co. in China, are planning to set up the world's largest LiFePO4 lithium-ion battery factory in Changshu, Jiangsu Province, China.

According to Julie Chou, chairperson of China Electric, the proposed plant will be initially capitalized at US$90 million, in which China Electric will hold a majority of 30%. The battery facility will be installed with 32 pack and 80 cell production lines, with total investment over the next five years to reach US$250 million, she added.

Another major investor in the new battery company is Taiwan-based Supreme Electronics Co., Ltd., which will take a 20% stake.

Chou said the investment project has drawn attention and support from the local government in China. The new battery plant will be spread over 180 acres with annual capacity of 580 million Ah (amp-hour), making it the world's largest producer of rapid-charging LiFePO4 lithium-ion batteries.

The first-stage construction in the Changshu Economic Development Zone includes the standard plant, three battery material lines, and five LiFePO4 lithium-ion cell lines. The new plant will begin mass production late this year with initial annual capacity of 36 million Ah. A battery-material R&D center and an electric-vehicle battery/rapid-charging R&D center will also be established late this year to closely cooperate with international research institutes.

The second-, third-, and fourth-stage constructions will be completed by late 2011, with annual capacities of 150 million Ah, 360 million Ah, and later 580 million Ah.