Semcorp lithium ion battery factory may be built in the second half of 2022 in Hungary. Last November, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó announced that Semcorp would build a factory in the Southern Industrial Park, in Debrecen, Hungary. The Shanghai-based company is a world market leader in the production of separator films for electric car batteries and will invest HUF 65.5 billion (EUR 183 million) to build the factory.
The new 100,000-square-meter separator film plant will create 440 new jobs, and the government will provide HUF 13 billion (EUR 36.5 million) grant towards it.
James Shih, Semcorp’s director of global projects told The Budapest Business Journal that construction is scheduled to be completed in the second half of 2022. The company also planning to hire people for top positions later this year, however, the recruitment will continue in 2022. The production is expected to start in the first quarter of 2023.
Once the plant reaches full capacity, it will produce 10% of the companies overall production of wet-process separator film (based on the company’s 2020 data).
James Shih added that based on their initial estimate, they planned to build the factory with EUR 180 million. Since their plans are constantly evolving, they might adjust the number.
The founders of Semcorp worked on the research and development of polymer materials at global companies for many years, so investing in technology and relentless technical innovation is vital for the company.
The Semcorp’s research center is of the size of 16,000 square-meters and currently accommodate 500 R&D personnel. It is the world’s largest lithium battery separator R&D center.
The director also said that they have evaluated several countries in Eastern and Northern Europe, and chose Hungary for its stable business environment, its role as a hub for the e-mobility industry, and its highly skilled, educated and affordable labor force. Debrecen gives them close proximity to a number of our lithium-ion battery customers.
Semcorp Factory May be Built in the Second Half of 2022, March 18, 2021
