Paving the way for the creation of over 640 job opportunities, Oregon-based battery parts manufacturer Entek has broken ground on a state-of-the-art $1.5 billion manufacturing campus in western Indiana. This significant development is poised to energize Indiana’s burgeoning electric vehicle sector.
At the groundbreaking ceremony in Terre Haute, Governor Eric Holcomb, alongside Entek executives and other dignitaries, celebrated the commencement of this ambitious project. Governor Holcomb hailed it as “a great day for Terre Haute and for the state of Indiana.”
Entek, headquartered in Lebanon, Oregon, specializes in producing battery separators for lithium-ion battery manufacturers. Having announced this venture in March, the company revealed that its new Terre Haute manufacturing facility will manufacture enough battery separators annually to meet the needs of approximately 1.4 million vehicles.
In a statement, Governor Holcomb expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “This decision cements Indiana’s leadership in the electric vehicle supply chain sector, and we are thrilled to partner with ENTEK to speed the commercialization of U.S.-built EVs.”
Entek holds the distinction of being the sole U.S.-owned and operated manufacturer of wet-process lithium-ion battery separators, a fact highlighted in a news release marking the groundbreaking. The Biden administration has been diligently working to enhance the nation’s energy self-sufficiency and reduce reliance on China for crucial components.
Larry Keith, CEO of Entek, conveyed the company’s appreciation for the support received from President Biden and his administration, emphasizing that “Beating China on advanced battery development and production starts right here in Terre Haute, today.”
