Will Argentina start a lithium battery factory in Latin America?

(Image: Mariano Garcia / Alamy) Argentina will start operations at the first lithium battery cell factory in Latin America before the end of the year. The country aims to boost its position in the region’s electric transport and energy storage markets, and go beyond simply producing the lithium that is critical to their growth.

Does y-TEC sell lithium in Argentina?

In the case of lithium, Y-TEC signed a contract with American company Livent, which extracts the mineral in Catamarca and, for the first time, sold part of its production in Argentina. According to Salvarezza, for industrialization to grow in scale, part of the production ought to be sold on the local market.

Where will lithium batteries be made in Buenos Aires?

State company Y-TEC, the tech arm of YPF, will open the first lithium battery cell factory in September, in La Plata, the capital of Buenos Aires province. Another plant, five times bigger, will kick off in Santiago del Estero in 2024.

Is Argentina a leader in EV & green energy storage?

This metal, crucial for electric vehicles (EVs) and green energy storage, is seeing skyrocketing demand. Amidst this global trend, Argentina is emerging as a potential leader. Experts predict that by 2027, it will surpass established producers like Chile and Australia.

How many people can a lithium battery power Buenos Aires?

The plant will generate 15 megawatts per year, which means it will produce lithium batteries capable of powering 2500 households. The batteries are envisaged for use in rural areas. For example, there is already a Buenos Aires province-backed project to supply the Paulino-Berisso island, home to 70 families who are currently off the power grid.

Could a new lithium plant add value to Argentina's lithium industry?

A worker at a lithium plant in the Salinas Grandes salt flat in northern Argentina. The country’s lithium production is rising, and a new battery plant will be one of the first facilities to process the metal domestically, with hopes of adding value to its industry. (Image: Mariano Garcia / Alamy)