Birla Carbon to Open $1B Graphite Plant in South Carolina
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A unit of Indian multinational company Aditya Birla Group is investing $1 billion to create a plant in South Carolina to produce vital materials for electric vehicles and battery storage for green energy, Gov. Henry McMaster announced.
“South Carolina’s strong economy and pro-business climate continue to attract major investments for our state,” McMaster said in an Oct. 8 release. “Birla Carbon’s substantial $1 billion investment and the 124 new jobs it will create will have a transformative impact in Orangeburg County, and we look forward to the company’s success in our state.”
Birla Carbon is a flagship division under one of India’s largest conglomerates, which boasts a 170-year history. The unit ranks among the world’s leading manufacturers and suppliers of carbon additives and operates 17 manufacturing facilities in 14 countries, serving a diverse array of industries.
The company will build a 435,000-square-foot facility in Orangeburg County to launch next-generation synthetic graphite production operations. The plant will produce anode active materials for battery production. The initial phase is expected to produce 25,000 tons of synthetic graphite annually to meet projected demand from the EV, energy storage and defense industries.
(Birla Carbon)
“Birla Carbon is excited to join the state of South Carolina in making this significant investment that will contribute to the growth of this critical industry domestically,” said John Loudermilk, Birla Carbon president and CEO. “As a global leader in our industry, we are constantly looking for opportunities to collaborate with like-minded partners that make a real difference. This plant is an investment in the future as the demand for electric vehicles and energy storage markets will only grow.”
Birla Carbon supplies carbon black — engineered carbon nanoparticles fused to form aggregates — to enhance products like paints, coatings, inks, toners, plastics, adhesives, sealants, textile fibers, mechanical rubber goods and tires.
According to its Sustainability Report 2024, Birla Carbon has also developed additives to improve power and energy density as well as charging speeds for lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries. It offers “performance anode active materials with ultrahigh purity, controlled particle-size distributions, and well-defined performance properties for a range of energy storage applications, including automotive EV, portable electronics, power tools and stationary storage,” the report noted.
“With a capital investment of $1 billion and the creation of 124 new jobs, this advanced manufacturing facility, specializing in synthetic graphite, highlights our county’s immense potential and reinforces our commitment to fostering long-term economic growth,” said Johnnie Wright Sr., chairman of the Orangeburg County Council. “We look forward to the opportunities this will bring to our residents and the positive impact it will have on our community.”
The project has been approved for job development credits. Hiring will begin in 2025, with operations expected to start in 2026. The company plans to provide training and internships for employees, as well as child care subsidies.
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