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Group14 Commences Phase I Expansion into Europe, Restarting Silane Factory in Germany

December 16, 2023

Group14 Technology announced the commencement of Phase I of its European manufacturing roadmap. This includes preparations to restart operations at its newly acquired factory in Spreetal, Germany. The factory, which has been idle since 2016, produces silane, an important precursor for various energy storage applications, including silicon batteries and solar panels.

Group14’s technology is already commercialized in consumer electronics and is expected to be incorporated into EV batteries next year. As the demand for EVs continues to rise, Group14 has scaled production and is advancing its strategic modular approach to manufacturing. This includes constructing factories in North America and Asia, the latter as part of a joint venture with SK.

Motivated by the German government’s intent to invest in renewables, Group14 decided to establish its European base in Germany. This began with the acquisition of Schmid Silicon, which included the silane factory in Spreetal. With this, Group14 aims to secure access to silane gas, enhance localized EV battery production in the region, and stimulate economic development by creating new jobs.

The company, which currently employs 15 people in Germany, expects to hire more than 65 employees by the end of 2024 at the plant. This includes engineers, operators, technicians, and administrative staff across all levels, as the company works to bring the factory back to full production capacity.

“We see a clear alignment between our vision to strengthen localized battery supply chains and Germany’s commitment to building a robust clean energy economy,” said Group14 CEO Rick Luebbe. “Our investment in Germany not only brings us closer to our partners and customers, but it brings us closer to a global clean energy economy built on next-generation manufacturing to create new economic opportunities for local communities.”

In the next six months, Group14 plans to set up its first European office near Porsche AG, a Group14 investor and customer. The company is also exploring opportunities to build its third Battery Active Materials factory (BAM-3) in the country. This will provide locally manufactured silicon battery materials to European automotive OEMs and create new manufacturing and operations jobs.