Pentagon backs 6K’s plan for a Tennessee battery-materials plant

The 12-year-old company, based in North Andover, Massachusetts, plans to use a microwave-powered process at the plant. The method heats metals into plasma before depositing them onto a surface, reducing the steps needed to make cathode material, a key component in batteries. 6K says the process can be used for several battery types, including lithium iron phosphate (LFP).

The project had previously received a $50 million Department of Energy grant under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The Trump administration canceled that 2023 award during a sweep of Biden-era grants, and 6K had to reapply.

The factory was initially slated to open in 2024. The grant cancellation and uncertainty in the electric-vehicle market forced the company to revise its plans, according to the account of the project.