South Korean battery chemicals manufacturer Enchem has abandoned its plans for a plant in the United States, according to a report by KED Global. The company had planned to invest the equivalent of around 142 million US dollars in a production facility in Tennessee. The plant would have manufactured electrolyte materials for BlueOval SK, a joint venture between SK On and Ford Motor. According to the report, the project was canceled after the signing of the planned supply contracts was delayed several times.
Ford loses twelve billion dollars
KED Global reports that this decision is related to the ongoing weakness of the electric vehicle market in the United States. Ford has recorded losses totaling approximately 12 billion dollars in its electric mobility division, including 2.2 billion dollars in the first half of 2025. Additionally, the federal tax credit of up to 7,500 US dollars for electric car buyers expired in October 2025.
Suppliers change strategic direction
Due to these developments, BlueOval SK is not expected to utilize its full production capacity of 127 gigawatt-hours next year. According to industry sources, companies in Fordʼs supply chain are currently revising their strategies. Enchem now plans to focus on its existing sites in Georgia and Indiana, which supply electrolytes to LG Energy Solution and Samsung SDI, respectively.
Source:
https://www.kedglobal.com/batteries/newsView/ked202510020005
