Forge Nano is expanding its battery cell manufacturing operations in Morrisville, North Carolina. The site is expected to grow from just under 10,000 to approximately 29,000 square meters. According to the company, annual production capacity could reach up to 3 GWh at full utilization. Production is scheduled to begin in 2028.
The project is receiving up to $100 million in support from the U.S. Department of Energy. The expansion is primarily aimed at battery cells for defense, aerospace, and industrial applications.
Manufacturing equipment for the expanded battery production facility is expected to be delivered over the next two years. The timeline coincides with new sourcing requirements under the National Defense Authorization Act. These requirements are expected to apply to batteries used in defense applications starting in 2028. Forge Nano is therefore positioning the facility as a domestic source of lithium-ion cells.
Samsung SDI Invests in Forge Nano
Forge Nano is working with Samsung SDI to establish the expanded production operation. The battery manufacturer is expected to contribute manufacturing and operational expertise for high-volume production. The Morrisville facility is slated to manufacture both Forge Nano cells and Samsung SDI battery cells.
Samsung SDI has also entered into a conditional agreement to purchase battery cells starting in 2028. In July, the company invested a total of $20 million in Forge Nano. This consisted of $10 million in Series D financing and $10 million in PIPE financing related to Forge Nano’s planned public listing.
The two companies are also working on the potential integration of Forge Nano’s Atomic Armor coating technology into future Samsung SDI batteries.
