After breaking ground for the new plant on its South County campus, the firm said last Tuesday it will be which will be constructed on 19 acres at 5401 W. Third St.
Lithium iron phosphate cathode active material will be manufactured at the site.
“While we had initially intended to locate our state-of-the-art battery materials manufacturing plant at our existing ICL Carondelet campus, we have now selected a more suitable site in north St. Louis,” Phil Brown, president of the Phosphate Specialties and managing director of North America for ICL Group, said in a statement.
“Our expansion into north St. Louis demonstrates our ongoing commitment to the city. While we will continue to be a good neighbor in south St. Louis, at our existing 19-acre campus, we also look forward to bringing positive economic change to north St. Louis with our new facility.”
ICL plans to invest $500 million in the new battery materials plant, which is expected to create more than 150 jobs. The plant will create materials for the electric vehicle and energy storage markets, ICL said. The jobs at the new site are expected to include 131 full-time manufacturing and maintenance roles and 22 support positions for operations there. The company previously pegged the plant investment at $400 million.
“We commend ICL on its commitment to expanding in the City of St. Louis,” said Neal Richardson, president and CEO of St. Louis Development Corporation.
“In addition to the 150 new full-time, well-paying manufacturing, maintenance, and support jobs that will be created by ICL’s approximately half a billion-dollar investment in North City, construction of the new facility will bring more than 1,000 construction jobs over a two-year period, having a positive impact on St. Louis area contractors, diverse/minority suppliers, and the entire region.”
The expansion will receive tax abatement from the city of St. Louis.
According to the ICL website, it employs 12,000 people globally and its 2023 revenue was $7.5 billion.
There are 335 employees in the St. Louis area and its U.S. headquarters is at 622 Emerson Road in Creve Coeur. The firm also has its Carondelet campus and a research and development center in Webster Groves.
How is this a win for north city? Why do our elected officials insist on giving away tax money? A tax abatement is a huge financial loss. Allowing a company to make profit and not pay taxes is robbery. Poor people are the scape goat here. Please stop I rewarding rich companies, or stop the payroll tax.
And, what about the environmental issues prominent in this and other areas of STL. They refuse to deal with it, then reward big business with tax dollars for a mere 150 jobs, and God only knows how much health issues will result from it. How is this an “investment” in north stl???? Liars!
The big question is whether it will become yet another closed-off facility with brick walls, staffed by employees who live far from the city of St. Louis—especially far from North St. Louis.
Remember MANHATTAN PROJECT refuse that THE COUNTY IS NOW dealing with in federal lawsuits!! NO this is definitely NOT A WIN for Nirth … Mr. Richardson and SLDC should be ashamed.. but they’re not!! SMH
What area in North St Louis? I remember Manchester development with Builders Square as the anchor. shopping mall is mostly vacant. After 25 year tax abatement is completed most business leave. What environmental affects will the production cause.
The people that find a gray cloud in a silver lining are always vocal… probably maga.
Good Sunday Afternoon, Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Darlene Daphne Combs, I am amazed at the progress of Saint Louis, Missouri, I was born here and recently had the opportunity to tour Downtown Saint Louis, and found a love for the whole community. I am thankful that we have the opportunity to move forward, to a better future of Economic Development. Within budget for the expansion of Employment Opportunity.
Thank You,
Darlene Daphne Combs
Darlene Daphne Combs
(13-4246758) Employment Identification Number.
Not surprising that STL American is a shill for SLDC and corporate interests. All money is good money for this publication.
Not sure this is a win for North STL.
It is common knowledge that batteries are very dangerously currosive. So much so, that they have to be disposed of carefully. So is this article implying that North STL residents should be happy that the chemicals that go into these batteries are made in their neighborhood?
Question: Will there be a mandate that the jobs in the plant be filled by North STL city (and possibly North STL county) residents? That is absolutely legal, and major cities do it all the time — mandating that certain jobs be filled by local residents.
Here is where STL American can do some real journalistic research: Find out if the leadership of the company’s South County operation said “No we don’t want those chemicals manufactured around us. Do it somewhere on the North side.”