Volta Energy Solutions (Volta), a subsidiary of Solus Advanced Materials located in South Korea, is launching the first battery copper foil factory for electric vehicles in Canada in Granby, Quebec. Positioned to become the world’s largest producer of copper foil, the company has established itself in Quebec as Volta Energy Solutions Canada with the ambition to actively contribute to the development of the EV battery industry.
The company, a global leader that provides materials such as battery copper foil for EV batteries, currently produces copper foil in Luxembourg and battery copper foil in Hungary. The Granby plant will be the third factory and respond to the increasingly growing demand of the North American market.
“Copper foil plays an essential role as a current collector in the construction of lithium-ion batteries, which are commonly used in EVs. With its strategic geographical location providing privileged access to the North American market and its strong political commitment to making electric vehicle battery production a key sector of its economy, Quebec is the ideal location for Volta’s first North American factory,” explains Dejae Chin, chairman of Solus Advanced Materials and Volta Energy Solutions.
“The support of the Quebec and Canadian governments as well as the City of Granby was crucial to the success of this inauguration. Our team is committed to increasing the efficiency of the local EV battery supply chain for years to come.”
Volta expects to go into mass production in 2026 and will sell its product to customers in North America. This initial launch will produce 25,000 tons of copper foil per year and will increase to 63,000 tons per year with phase 2. It represents 2,500,000 electric vehicles on the road.
To produce copper foil, Volta relies on sustainable cutting-edge technology. Contributing to the circular economy is a priority: sourcing relies on copper residues; scraps created during the process are reintegrated into the production chain to reduce waste; steam and heat from the electrolysis process are transformed and redistributed to heat the plant and control its temperature; onsite water treatment stations ensure that water is recycled and reused to the highest capacity.
“Volta brings unique advantages and expertise to the region. Its commitment to advanced technology, sustainability, and circular economy practices sets it apart”, says Dejae Chin. “Volta’s presence in Granby is expected to generate significant positive impacts such as job creation, local sourcing and community engagement”.
François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry adds: “We’ve made it clear that Canada is a partner of choice when it comes to the future of the automotive sector. This is why I’m pleased that VESC has recognized that when it comes to EV manufacturing, we are a top choice. Thanks to this project, we’re not only reinforcing Quebec’s key role in the Canadian electric vehicle value chain and ensuring that we have multiple steps of the EV value chain in Canada, but also creating hundreds of well-paying jobs for the people of Granby.”
Featured image credit: Government of Canada
