Anthro Energy Breaks Ground on First US-Owned Advanced Electrolyte Plant in Kentucky

Anthro Energy Breaks Ground on America’s First US-Owned Advanced Electrolyte Manufacturing Facility in Kentucky

Groundbreaking in Louisville, Ky., marks the start of construction on America’s first U.S.-owned and operated advanced electrolyte manufacturing facility, creating more than 500 jobs while strengthening the domestic battery supply chain.

ALAMEDA, Calif., Aug. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Anthro Energy today broke ground on what is expected to be America’s first U.S.-owned and operated advanced electrolyte manufacturing facility in Louisville, Kentucky, marking a major milestone in rebuilding domestic battery manufacturing and strengthening America’s critical battery materials supply chain. The groundbreaking ceremony officially launches construction of the company’s first commercial-scale manufacturing facility. It advances Anthro’s mission to scale U.S. production of advanced battery materials that power the next generation of energy storage, transportation, consumer electronics, robotics, and defense technologies.

Once operational in late 2027, the Louisville facility is expected to produce approximately 12,000 metric tons of advanced polymer electrolyte annually, enough to support up to 25 GWh of lithium-ion battery production for applications including defense, consumer electronics, mobility, robotics, and energy storage systems. Anthro expects to begin occupying and commissioning the facility immediately following completion of construction. The project is expected to create approximately 110 full-time, high-quality manufacturing and technical jobs and support nearly 390 construction jobs throughout the buildout. The groundbreaking comes just months after the U.S. Department of Energy authorized Anthro Energy to advance the project into full execution, following the company’s $24.9 million award under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and $18.4 million in investment tax credits through the Inflation Reduction Act’s 48C Advanced Energy Project Tax Credit Program.

Kentucky Governor Beshear, said:

Kentucky continues to lead the nation in advanced manufacturing, and today’s groundbreaking marks another exciting step forward for our Commonwealth,

David Mackanic, CEO and Co-Founder of Anthro Energy, said:

As demand for advanced batteries continues to grow, rebuilding domestic manufacturing capacity for critical battery materials has become a national priority,

“Today’s groundbreaking represents much more than the start of construction; it marks the beginning of a new chapter for American battery manufacturing. By producing advanced electrolytes here in the United States, we’re helping build a more resilient domestic supply chain while enabling the next generation of safer, higher-performing batteries.”

Anthro Energy’s proprietary Anthro Proteus® platform replaces conventional liquid electrolytes with advanced phase-change polymer electrolytes that improve battery safety, increase energy density, and enable greater design flexibility while remaining compatible with today’s lithium-ion manufacturing infrastructure. The company’s technology supports a broad range of applications, including consumer electronics, transportation, defense, robotics, and next-generation energy storage. Located in the heart of America’s growing Battery Belt, the facility will utilize Foreign Entity of Concern (FEOC)-free inputs from day one, helping establish a secure domestic source of one of the battery industry’s most critical materials. The project reflects a coordinated investment among federal, state, and local partners to strengthen America’s battery manufacturing ecosystem and reduce dependence on foreign-controlled supply chains.

Gov. Beshear, said:

Kentucky continues to lead the nation in advanced manufacturing, and today’s groundbreaking marks another exciting step forward for our Commonwealth,

“Anthro Energy’s investment will create quality jobs for Kentucky families, strengthen our growing battery and energy storage sector, and further establish Kentucky as the destination of choice for innovative companies building the future right here in America.

The facility is expected to support economic development throughout Louisville and Jefferson County while strengthening partnerships with local workforce organizations and educational institutions, including Kentucky FAME, Jefferson Community and Technical College (JCTC), KentuckianaWorks, Kentucky Valor, and Fort Campbell. Anthro plans to recruit and train the next generation of advanced manufacturing talent as the facility ramps toward commercial production. The project also builds on Kentucky’s growing battery manufacturing ecosystem, joining a rapidly expanding network of investments in automotive, battery, energy storage, and advanced manufacturing across the Commonwealth. Louisville’s central location within the Battery Belt positions Anthro to serve automakers, battery manufacturers, and suppliers throughout the South and Midwest with domestically produced advanced electrolyte materials.

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Anthro Energy Breaks Ground on America’s First US-Owned Advanced Electrolyte Manufacturing Facility in Kentucky, source