ICL Group, a leading global specialty minerals company, announced today that its planned expansion into the North American battery materials market will be built in north St. Louis City. The company is investing approximately half a billion dollars and creating more than 150 jobs to build a large-scale commercial production plant that will manufacture lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathode active material (CAM) destined for the energy storage and electric vehicle end-markets.
“ICL Group’s expansion is exciting news for St. Louis, our state, and our nation’s manufacturing independence,” said Governor Mike Parson. “When we met in Israel just two years ago, ICL Group demonstrated a commitment to innovation and economic growth that we’re sure will benefit Missourians for years to come.”
ICL Group currently has 335 full-time employees in the St. Louis area across its three existing locations, which include its North American headquarters, an R&D center in Webster Groves, and a production plant in the Carondelet neighborhood. The more than 150 jobs being added as part of this expansion will pay an average wage well above the median county rate.
“While we had initially intended to locate our state-of-the-art battery materials manufacturing plant at our existing ICL Carondelet campus, we have now selected a more suitable site in north St. Louis,” said Phil Brown, president of the Phosphate Specialties and managing director of North America for ICL Group. “Our expansion into north St. Louis demonstrates our ongoing commitment to the city. While we will continue to be a good neighbor in south St. Louis, at our existing 19-acre campus, we also look forward to bringing positive economic change to north St. Louis with our new facility.”
ICL Group was among the companies visited by Governor Mike Parson and the Missouri delegation during the Trade Mission to Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Greece in November 2022.
“DED is proud to support ICL Group as it helps Missourians prosper through this significant expansion,” said Michelle Hataway, Director of the Department of Economic Development. “As a global leader in specialty minerals, ICL is contributing to the ongoing growth of the St. Louis region through this major investment and job creation.”
For this expansion, ICL Group will benefit from the Missouri Works program, a tool that helps companies expand and retain workers by providing access to capital through withholdings or tax credits for job creation. The company is also receiving assistance from Missouri One Start, a division of the Department of Economic Development. Missouri One Start assists eligible businesses with their recruitment and training needs. The BUILD program, a program that helps companies embark on major investment and job creation expansions, was also used by the company.
What others are saying
“This next phase of ICL’s expansion in St. Louis adds to its already robust presence in the metro,” said Maggie Kost, Chief Business Attraction Officer for Greater St. Louis, Inc. “Its commitment of more than half a billion dollars here, home to its North American headquarters, will not just grow high-quality jobs but expand the depth and breadth of our manufacturing capacities - and grow key industry sectors in the process.”
“We commend ICL on its commitment to expanding in the City of St. Louis,” said Neal Richardson, President and CEO of St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC). “In addition to the 150 new full-time, well-paying manufacturing, maintenance, and support jobs that will be created by ICL’s approximately half a billion dollar investment in North City, construction of the new facility will bring more than 1,000 construction jobs over a two-year period, having a positive impact on St. Louis area contractors, diverse/minority suppliers, and the entire region.”
“ICL's expansion demonstrates how businesses are thriving in every corner of our service territory across Missouri,” said Mark Birk, president and chairman of Ameren Missouri. “As ICL's decision to grow its manufacturing base in St. Louis demonstrates, Ameren Missouri’s Smart Energy Plan continues to be instrumental in making the region more attractive for businesses while also providing reliable energy to power the needs of all customers today and tomorrow. We also welcome the new jobs that will pay additional dividends to neighborhoods and cities across the entire region.”
About ICL
ICL Group is a leading global specialty minerals company, which creates impactful solutions for humanity's sustainability challenges in the food, agriculture and industrial markets. ICL leverages its unique bromine, potash and phosphate resources, its global professional workforce, and its sustainability focused R&D and technological innovation capabilities, to drive the company's growth across its end markets. The company employs more than 12,000 people worldwide, and its 2023 revenues totaled approximately $7.5 billion.
To learn more about ICL, visit icl-group.com.
About the Missouri Department of Economic Development
The Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) works to create an environment that encourages economic growth by supporting Missouri’s businesses and diverse industries, strengthening our communities, developing a talented and skilled workforce, and maintaining a high quality of life. As one team built around the customer and driven by data, DED aspires to be the best economic development department in the Midwest. Through its various initiatives, DED is helping create opportunities for Missourians to prosper.
For the latest updates on DED’s current or future programs and initiatives, visit DED’s website.
About the Missouri Works Program
As the state’s number one incentive tool for expansion and retention, the Missouri Works Program helps businesses access capital through withholdings or tax credits to embark on facility expansions and create jobs. This program can also help businesses purchase equipment to maintain its facility in Missouri.
About Missouri One Start
Missouri One Start is the state’s premier workforce recruitment and training division. It helps eligible businesses of all sizes stay competitive by providing customized recruitment assistance, along with resources to train and upskill new and existing employees. Its recruitment strategies and training programs are tailored to the specific workforce needs of the businesses it serves.
About the BUILD Program
The Business Use Incentives for Large-Scale Development (BUILD) Program helps companies embark on major investment and job creation expansions. The program provides low-interest loans to qualified borrowers through the issuance of tax-exempt revenue bonds for the acquisition, construction, and equipping of qualified manufacturing production facilities and/or equipment.