Albemarle Corporation, a global specialty chemicals company, has selected Charlotte for a state-of-the-art Albemarle Technology Park, creating 200 jobs in the University City neighborhood.
"Albemarle is focused on lithium technology leadership because it drives value for our customers and advances the world's transition to more sustainable energy," said Kent Masters, Albemarle CEO. "We're proud to be making this investment in our headquarter city and to be contributing to our state and local economy in this capacity."
Albemarle will invest up to $200,000,000 to develop the technology park that will focus on the research and development of advanced materials, novel process development, and next-generation lithium products. Innovations from the new site will enhance lithium recovery, improve production methods, and introduce new forms of lithium that will propel lithium-ion batteries and the electric vehicle sector even further.
"Albemarle's work on the next generation of products related to lithium batteries really advances North Carolina's leadership in the emerging clean energy economy," said Governor Cooper. "Reducing carbon emissions is good for our environment and great for our economy too."
This announcement cements Charlotte's role as a leader in electric vehicle innovation and North Carolina as a front runner in electric vehicle manufacturing overall. Charlotte's regional assets including lithium deposits, a strong manufacturing workforce, and top-tier research and development talent set it apart as an attractive market for EV companies and suppliers. In the last two years, global EV companies including Arrival, Toyota, and VinFast have announced major investments across the state. The I-85 corridor through the Carolinas is emerging as the destination for electric vehicle and clean energy innovation.
"Charlotte has been home to Albemarle Corporation for several years," said Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles. "This investment signifies their commitment to the growth and innovation of the company as well as our city, and we have a talented workforce that can fill the jobs this expansion will bring."
Albemarle has been a strong community partner since relocating its headquarters to Charlotte in 2015, supporting initiatives in education and diversity and inclusion across the region. The company's foundation works closely with Charlotte nonprofits including Freedom School Partners, Young Black Leadership Alliance, and YMCA Charlotte. An industry leader in lithium, the company has deep commitments to sustainability and executes global initiatives in clean energy, including at its lithium processing facility in Kings Mountain, North Carolina.
"We are excited to support the expansion of the Albemarle Corporation's advanced materials research and development facility in the University City area of Mecklenburg County. This project will be critical for the evolving electric vehicle (EV) industry sector, and for furthering our region's presence as an emerging leader in the EV and battery space. The employment opportunities provided by Albemarle are the jobs of the future, which we support and want to foster. We look forward to our continued partnership with this global leader and pioneer as we build on their legacy here in Mecklenburg County," said George Dunlap, Chair of the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners.
This project was a collaborative effort between the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, North Carolina General Assembly, North Carolina Community College System, University Center Partners and the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance.
Over the past twelve months, the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County have collaborated on economic development projects including relocations and expansions of the ACC, Bosch Rexroth, Solve Industrial Motion Group, and more. With today's announcement from Albemarle Corp., the City and County have helped bring more than $287 million in capital investment, along with 350 new jobs and 435 retained jobs.
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