Korean chemical manufacturer LG Chem said Friday that it will participate in a forum hosted by the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry to discuss collaboration and support for the tech industry in the United States.
Scheduled for Friday in Nashville, the forum will bring together key figures from business, government and academia to explore strategies for revitalizing manufacturing in Tennessee, where LG Chem is constructing a battery materials plant.
Ko Yun-ju, LG Chem’s chief sustainability strategy officer, will participate as the sole Korean business representative among the panelists, discussing the development of advanced industries and strengthening the materials supply chain.
According to LG Chem, the US has achieved a 75 percent domestication rate for electric vehicle battery production capacity. However, domestic production of key battery materials, such as cathodes, anodes and precursors, remains low.
LG Chem’s plant, currently under construction in Clarksville, approximately 80 kilometers from the state capital, Nashville, is set to become the largest cathode plant in the US when it begins operations next year. The facility will produce cathodes capable of supplying 600,000 electric vehicles annually.
“To enhance the supply chain for advanced industries like battery technology and materials, it is essential for the federal government to provide subsidies and policy support to encourage foreign investment,” Ko said.
“Tennessee’s strong manufacturing infrastructure will accelerate LG Chem’s innovation in the US market, especially when coupled with government policy support,” he added.
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