Group14 Technologies, a leader in silicon battery materials, has been selected for an award negotiation of up to $200 million by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s efforts to enhance domestic battery production for electric vehicles (EVs) and the electrical grid. This marks the second major DOE grant for Group14, following a $100 million award in 2022.
The funding will support the construction of a silane factory in Moses Lake, Washington, capable of producing 7,200 metric tons of silane gas annually — a crucial component for next-generation silicon batteries.
Group14 CEO and Co-Founder Rick Luebbe emphasized that increasing domestic silane production is vital to reducing the U.S. dependence on foreign battery supply chains, particularly as China is currently the largest global supplier.
The project is expected to create over 300 construction jobs and retain 150 positions to support ongoing operations. This factory will also use proprietary technology that significantly lowers both capital and energy requirements for silane production.
In addition to the silane factory, Group14’s Battery Active Materials (BAM) factory in Moses Lake is on track to be the world’s largest for advanced silicon battery materials, with an initial capacity of 4,000 tons by late 2024. Group14 aims to be a leading mass producer of silicon battery materials, with over 30 GWh of production capacity globally, including a joint venture in South Korea.
Group14 is supplying its materials to major battery manufacturers. To date, the company has raised over $650 million from investors and customers such as Porsche AG, Microsoft Climate Innovation Fund, OMERS, Lightrock Climate Impact Fund, Decarbonization Partners, Amperex Technology (ATL), BASF, Resonac and SK Inc.
Group14 operates a Battery Active Materials factory, BAM-1, in Woodinville, WA, and a joint venture factory with SK in South Korea. Group14’s second U.S. factory, BAM-2, in Moses Lake, WA, is expected to begin operation in 2024.