March 6, 2025: Global lead battery major Clarios has unveiled a 10-year, $6 billion plan to expand battery manufacturing and help boost US energy and critical minerals independence.
Clarios said on March 3 its strategy, through to 2035, includes increasing production of “low-critical mineral battery chemistries”, such as its most advanced AGM batteries and additional cutting-edge energy storage technologies, aimed at reducing reliance on imports while creating new American jobs.
Some $2.5 billion is earmarked for this from the $6 billion total.
Nearly $2 billion will be directed to “advancing American energy and critical mineral independence”, by strengthening the nation’s supply chain for batteries — essential to start every vehicle in the US, Clarios said.
In addition, existing industrial operations will be boosted and new facilities be built, although no specific plans were outlined.
Every day, America depends on low-voltage starter batteries as an essential component of the US transportation infrastructure used in cars, tractors, semi-trucks, boats and airplanes, including military vehicles, Clarios said.
Securing American energy and critical mineral independence depends upon expanded domestic capacity to process and recover critical minerals essential to starter battery production such as antimony and tin.
“Now more than ever, America must protect its critical minerals and invest in technology essential to energy independence,” said Clarios CEO Mark Wallace.
“With our comprehensive strategy, Clarios is driving a major step forward for America’s economic security, national security, and personal security of the American people.”
Clarios said it would invest nearly $2 billion in critical minerals processing and recovery, noting that the near-100% recycling rate of used lead batteries in the US was a key plank in the drive to keep valuable critical minerals such as antimony and tin in the country, reducing dependence on foreign-controlled supply chains.
The battery maker will also invest some $1 billion in next-generation technologies to accelerate development of advanced energy storage for AI and data centres, supercapacitors and AI-driven software solutions to boost efficiency and innovation.
Clarios will also push ahead with its investment in sodium ion batteries and other “leapfrog solutions” that create a competitive advantage for the US.
Clarios operates 16 manufacturing facilities across the US employing more than 5,500 in 32 states and supplying auto manufacturing and the aftermarket across America.
Last year, Clarios expanded production of advanced low-antimony batteries in the US by 1.5 million units. This year, the company has already invested in upgrades to its facility in Oconee, South Carolina, to increase battery component manufacturing capacity by 30 million parts.
Starting in 2026, Clarios will produce its latest battery in Toledo, Ohio, which the group said is projected to supply 745,000 of the most advanced low-antimony starter batteries integral to the production of new American-made vehicles.
The announcement came just months after Clarios revealed plans to also invest around €200 million ($223 million) in its European plants up to 2026 to expand production capacity for AGM vehicle batteries.
