On April 16, Sinochem International inaugurated a new energy base in the Yangzhou Economic Development Zone in Jiangsu Province, marking a crucial step in delivering the company's new energy ambition.
Upon completion, the 1,500-mu facility will become the main base of the new energy industry in East China.
“Sinochem International is committed to helping the country achieve its carbon peak and neutrality goals through technological innovation and industrial transformation. New-energy power and storage batteries should play a critical role in this revolution,” said Liu Hongsheng, general manager of Sinochem International at the inauguration ceremony. “The Yangzhou base is our key initiative in the new energy realm, and highlights our commitment to green and sustainable development.”
With the 20GWh production capacity planned in four phases, construction of the entire site is set to complete by 2025. Among them, the first phase commenced construction at the end of 2020. Equipment installation is expected to wrap up by the end of 2021, and mass production is scheduled for March 2022.
The newly-unveiled new energy base also marked an important achievement under the strategic cooperation between Sinochem International and BMW Group.
Dr. Eric Hamm, Vice President of Powertrain Systems Business Customers, BMW, said in a congratulatory video message that the automaker plans to manufacture battery modules to be used in BMW i3 models at the Yangzhou site in 2022. The two parties will also explore to develop battery variants to serve third-party customers.
BMW will also leverage the Yangzhou base to meet more product demands in 2023-2025.