LG Energy Solution has completed Canada's inaugural commercial-scale battery manufacturing facility through subsidiary NextStar Energy, built on a 390,000-square-metre site in Ontario to produce batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage systems, The Korea Times reports.

South Korean Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan attended Thursday's grand opening ceremony, characterising the factory as an important symbol and milestone of industrial cooperation between Korea and Canada. Kim noted particular significance in the plant's Ontario location, a province that sent troops to defend Korea during the 1950-53 Korean War.

NextStar Energy has invested more than CA$5 billion (€3.6 billion) since its March 2022 launch as a joint venture between LGES and automotive manufacturer Stellantis. Construction commenced in November 2022 with mass production beginning last November. Last month, the Korean battery firm announced plans to acquire Stellantis's stake, converting the joint venture into a wholly owned subsidiary.

Kim Dong-myung, chief executive of LGES, said: "When LGES decided to become the sole owner of NextStar Energy, we did so with absolute confidence. As Canada's first large-scale battery manufacturing facility, NextStar Energy will play a critical role in powering the nation's next chapter of electrification."

The facility currently employs approximately 1,300 direct workers with long-term expansion targets reaching 2,500 employees. Canada's Industry Minister Melanie Joly said: "This new center of advanced battery manufacturing will accelerate our leadership in next-generation vehicles by powering the cars we build, reinforcing the strength of our energy grids and developing the strategic technologies our partners and allies rely on."

The two industry ministers separately discussed investment plans proposed by Korean companies in exchange for Canada's potential purchase of Korean-built submarines, with Hyundai Motor executives outlining investment proposals for Canada's hydrogen fuel cell infrastructure.

Review complete details regarding the NextStar Energy facility in the full report.