Where is Russia's new lithium-ion battery manufacturing facility located?

Russian state-owned Rosatom State Nuclear Energy (Rosatom) has announced it will build its 3 GWh lithium-ion battery manufacturing facility in Kaliningrad, in Russia's province of the same name, sandwiched between Poland and Lithuania along the Baltic coast.

What are Russian batteries made of?

Their key component is a battery made from nickel, cobalt, manganese, copper, aluminum, and, of course, lithium — metals that are now called ‘battery metals.’ Russia is fully self-sufficient in nickel, cobalt, copper, and aluminum; manganese is imported from several sources, and only lithium is yet a major concern.

Will Russia build a lithium battery factory in 2025?

Russian nuclear energy giant Rosatom has acquired a 49% stake in Enertech International, a South Korean lithium-ion battery specialist, and has announced plans to build a gigafactory at an unspecified location in Russia. The start of production is scheduled for 2025.

Does Russia import lithium?

It should be noted, though, that some of the imports are then exported in the form of other compounds. Russia’s internal demand for lithium is 400 to 700 metric tons. Lithium is used in the nuclear power industry, in energy storage systems, and in the production of slag-forming mixtures for ladles and lubricants for mining operations.

Will Russia have a lithium mining project?

Thus, within a few years, Russia may have a large mining project that will fully — and even abundantly — meet its current domestic demand for lithium. According to Rockwood Lithium, one of the world’s key lithium producers, a 25 kWh car battery needs 44 pounds (almost 20 kg) of lithium carbonate.

Why is lithium a problem in Russia?

Lithium is not mined in Russia, so self-sufficiency in this metal is a problem, dealing with which is high on the agenda. High demand for lithium is a global trend driven by the rapid development of electric vehicles, primarily in China. Supply cannot yet catch up with demand.