Ford, SK On & EcoProBM to Build Cathode Manufacturing Facility in Québec

Ford, SK On and South Korea's EcoProBM have announced an investment of C$1.2 billion to build a cathode manufacturing facility in Bécancour, Québec. The plant will provide materials that ultimately supply batteries for Ford’s future electric vehicles.

Once production begins in the first half of 2026, the site will have the capacity to produce up to 45,000 tonnes of cathode active materials (CAM) per year.

This new facility – Ford’s first investment in Québec – is part of the automaker’s plan to localise key battery raw material processing in regions where it produces EVs.

Construction has begun on the 280,000 square-meter (or more than 3 million square-feet) site and will include a six-floor building that will house approximately 345 new jobs for Canada.

EcoPro CAM Canada LP will manufacture CAM and, more precisely, high quality Nickel Cobalt Manganese (NCM) for rechargeable batteries that are targeting greater performance levels and improved EV range compared to existing products.

For SK On, the new facility is part of its efforts to secure a stable supply of key battery materials in North America.

Bev Goodman, president and CEO, Ford of Canada, says: “Ford has been serving customers in Canada for 119 years, longer than any other automaker, and we’re excited to invest in this new facility to create a vertically integrated, closed-loop battery manufacturing supply chain in North America designed to help make electric vehicles more accessible for millions of people over time. We’re excited for the opportunity for our first-ever investment in Québec with a new facility that will help shape the EV ecosystem there.”

“Through the cathode JV, the three companies can have a stable supply of battery raw materials in North America,” adds  SK On Chief Commercial Officer Min-suk Sung. “We will continue to work with our partners to lead electrification of the global auto market.”

“By expanding here in North America, EcoProBM looks forward to globalizing our growth in cathode materials, which has been a unique strength of our company,” comments Jae-hwan Joo, EcoProBM CEO. “We also are prepared to contribute to the community in Canada and Québec and contribute to the development of the local economy, including by hiring locally.”

Ford employs about 177,000 people worldwide.