DEMS0000123
Project Grant
Overview
Grant Description
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) - Retrofit and Expansion Project at Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene Plant: Completing a Full Domestic Supply Chain for Lithium-Ion Batteries
The objective of the project is to retrofit and expand an existing ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) unit to meet lithium-ion battery separator (“LIBS”) quality specifications and increase the operating capacity of the unit from 22,500 metric tons per year to 40,000 metric tons per year,
both expanding the capacity and capabilities of the United States in advanced battery manufacturing and enhancing national security by reducing the reliance of the United States on importing UHMWPE for LIBS production from China or South Korea.
This project will preserve high-paying American jobs without disrupting the local community or environment and will support local science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) training and education initiatives.
The objective of the project is to retrofit and expand an existing ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) unit to meet lithium-ion battery separator (“LIBS”) quality specifications and increase the operating capacity of the unit from 22,500 metric tons per year to 40,000 metric tons per year,
both expanding the capacity and capabilities of the United States in advanced battery manufacturing and enhancing national security by reducing the reliance of the United States on importing UHMWPE for LIBS production from China or South Korea.
This project will preserve high-paying American jobs without disrupting the local community or environment and will support local science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) training and education initiatives.
Awardee
Funding Goals
CONSISTENT WITH THE GOALS OF THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW SECTIONS 40207(B) AND 40207(C) THIS ANNOUNCEMENT INTENDS TO FUND PROJECTS THAT PROMOTE THE USE OF MORE CLEAN ENERGY, CREATE NEW, GOOD-PAYING JOBS AND LOWER COSTS FOR AMERICAN FAMILIES AND WORKERS BY GUIDING THE NATION TOWARDS A 100% CARBON POLLUTION-FREE ELECTRICITY SECTOR BY 2035 AND NET-ZERO ECONOMY BY 2050.
Grant Program (CFDA)
Awarding Agency
Funding Agency
Place of Performance
La Porte,
Texas
77571-7633
United States
Geographic Scope
Single Zip Code
Braskem America was awarded
UHMWPE Plant Retrofit & Expansion: Boosting US Lithium-Ion Battery Supply Chain
Project Grant DEMS0000123
worth $50,000,000
from the Department of Energy in January 2025 with work to be completed primarily in La Porte Texas United States.
The grant
has a duration of 1 year 2 months and
was awarded through assistance program 81.253 Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chain Demonstrations and Commercial Applications.
$72,043,705 (59.0%) of this Project Grant was funded by non-federal sources.
The Project Grant was awarded through grant opportunity Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Battery Materials Processing and Battery Manufacturing.
Status
(Ongoing)
Last Modified 5/21/25
Period of Performance
1/1/25
Start Date
3/31/26
End Date
Funding Split
$50.0M
Federal Obligation
$72.0M
Non-Federal Obligation
$122.0M
Total Obligated
Activity Timeline
Transaction History
Modifications to DEMS0000123
Additional Detail
Award ID FAIN
DEMS0000123
SAI Number
None
Award ID URI
SAI EXEMPT
Awardee Classifications
For-Profit Organization (Other Than Small Business)
Awarding Office
892433 NATIONAL ENERGY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY
Funding Office
892412 OFFICE OF MANUFACTURING AND ENERGY SUPPLY CHAINS (MESC)
Awardee UEI
TBHWQT2HYGQ7
Awardee CAGE
8KS29
Performance District
TX-36
Senators
John Cornyn
Ted Cruz
Ted Cruz
Modified: 5/21/25