In order to implement the net-zero emission movement, Taiwan Cement hosted the groundbreaking ceremony for the largest lithium battery plant in Taiwan at Siaogang of Kaohsiung today. Initially costing NT$12 billion, the plant will initiate in 2023, and will be producing nickel ternary batteries at a capacity of 1.8GWh, with an annual production equivalent to the long range battery capacity required by roughly 24K units of EVs. The plant is targeted at high-end international customers for electric sports car and space technology applications.
Chang An-ping, Chairman of Taiwan Cement, commented that the company started in Kaohsiung City, though the existing technology is unable to attain carbon neutrality for the cement industry. Hence, Taiwan Cement is spontaneous in adopting additional fuels and raw materials for the purpose of achieving carbon reduction, while being dedicated in the development of five major fields, including green electricity, energy storage, batteries, carbon capture, and afforestation of carbon sinks. The high-tech city is now marching towards the advanced battery industry with the station of this cutting-edge plant.
Chang pointed out that a lot of people are curious about Taiwan Cement’s decision in producing batteries. The production of cement needs to be accompanied with efforts in lowering carbon emission, since cement is a necessity and the adhesive for human civilization, and there would not be any infrastructures without cement; that is why Taiwan Cement has guaranteed to achieve 30% of carbon reduction by 2030, before attaining zero carbon in its pre-mixed concrete by 2050.
As explained by Chang, 100% net zero emission is impossible under the existing level of technology, which is why Taiwan Cement is also developing green electricity and energy storage to offset the carbon emission yielded from cement production so as to obtain a balance. With COP26 convening in Glasgow a few days after, Taiwan Cement will be supporting through actions, as the 21st century is the century of energy, and the future economic system is established on top of portable and storable energy, where battery serves as the core.
Net zero emission has become a global consensus, with many countries now declaring their progress of vehicle electrification. According to the data of IEK Consulting, EVs will surpass fuel vehicles and overtake smartphones by 2.3 times in market value by 2037, before arriving at a market value of US$2 trillion by 2040. Taiwan Cement and its subsidiaries will be guiding Taiwan in conforming to the global sector for its EV and energy storage industry, and transform the industry into new growth dynamics for the island.
Molie Quantum Energy under Taiwan Cement will invest an initial sum of NT$12 billion. The lithium battery plant is scheduled to commence operation in 2023, with a capacity of 1.8GWh that is able to produce the long range battery capacity required by roughly 24K units of EVs per year. Paired with the battery company Molicel, Taiwan Cement has thus elevated the total annual battery capacity to 3.2GWh.
The whole world is actively developing renewable energy right now, of which 20% requires large energy storage equipment to help with stabilization, where energy storage equipment requires high quality batteries. Hence, batteries are projected to sustain a shortage crisis after chips. The Siaogang plant will also take cues from the high level of automation form the semiconductor industry, so Molie Quantum Energy that is to be stationed at Kaohsiung is expected to recruit hundreds of engineering and R&D staffs.
(Cover photo source: Taiwan Cement)