LG car battery plant in Poland to be the biggest in Europe

South Korea’s LG Chem lithium-ion battery in Kobierzyce near Wrocław will be the biggest in Europe, according to the Polish government. The company plans to produce up to 100,000 batteries there annually. “Nine out of ten electric cars in Europe could run on batteries made in Poland,” Deputy PM Mateusz Morawiecki said. The factory should become operational next year and will employ 2,500 people. Its cost is estimated at PLN 1.3 billion. “The company has chosen Poland as the most competitive location for production to satisfy the needs of European and global car producers,” said Chang-Beom Kang, vice president at LG Chem. Raw materials will be imported from South Korea at first, however, the company hopes that eventually, Polish suppliers will be able to cover the demand. The plant, however, might not enjoy being the biggest one in Europe for very long, as Swiss ABB is planning to build an even bigger facility in Sweden.