Redwood Materials has officially initiated the construction of its ambitious $3.5 billion battery recycling facility in Berkeley County, South Carolina. The groundbreaking ceremony, which took place on January 23, marks the beginning of a significant project aimed at bolstering electric vehicle (EV) battery recycling in the United States.
A Strategic Move Towards Sustainable Battery Production
Located in Santee Cooper’s Camp Hall Commerce Park, this new facility is poised to become the largest industrial investment in South Carolina’s history. Redwood Materials, headquartered in Carson City, Nevada, plans to employ approximately 1,500 workers at this Ridgeville campus. Their primary task will be to recover vital minerals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel from aged batteries, which are predominantly sourced from China currently. This strategic move is expected to lessen U.S. reliance on foreign materials for EV production.
The initial phase of the Ridgeville campus will include constructing a warehouse, offices, and laboratory spaces. The company intends to commence hiring in 2024, focusing primarily on roles related to site development, with a broader operational hiring expected to begin in 2025. Redwood Materials has partnered with readySC, a division of the S.C. Technical College System, to assist in recruitment and training processes.
Impact on EV Industry and U.S. Economy
Founded in 2017 by JB Straubel, a former Tesla executive, Redwood Materials aims to significantly contribute to the EV industry. By 2025, the company plans to produce enough anode and cathode materials at its Nevada and South Carolina sites to power up to 1 million EVs annually, with a goal of 5 million per year by 2030. Redwood has formed partnerships with major automotive and battery industry players, including Ford Motor Co., Toyota, and Panasonic, and has received substantial funding from groups like Goldman Sachs and T. Rowe Price.
Notably, the company secured a $2 billion loan commitment from the U.S. Department of Energy, underscoring the project’s alignment with federal sustainability goals. Toyota Motor North America’s vice president of business development, Christopher Yang, emphasized the importance of this collaboration, highlighting the creation of a circular supply chain to optimize logistics and recycling of valuable metals for future vehicles. 
