Lithium battery company relocating from Boston to Illinois

CHICAGO, Ill. (WTVO) — A maker of lithium batteries is relocating its entire operation from Boston to Chicago, Gov. JB Pritzker’s office announced on Thursday.

Pure Lithium will invest $46 million in Illinois, taking advantage of the state’s incentives from the Reimagining Energy and Vehicles (REV) act.

The company says it will produce the first fully lithium metal battery, with plans to supply drones and defense, consumer electronics, and energy storage systems.

Most batteries widely available are lithium-ion or use other composite chemistries.

“Our new facility in Chicago aligns with the company’s long-term operational goals and growth strategy,” said Pure Lithium Founder and CEO Emilie Bodoin. “This is a decisive step in the company’s transition from pure R&D to scaling up for commercial production. This requires different technologies, different facilities and different skillsets. This move allows us to construct a semi-automated battery pilot line vertically integrating our lithium metal reactor, and the incentives assist in funding critical pilot equipment, accelerating our timeline to market.” 

The company expects to open its new facility this year in Chicago’s Fulton Market district.

“I am excited to welcome the team at Pure Lithium to our state, where they’ll be an excellent addition to the business landscape and burgeoning clean energy ecosystem,” said Pritzker. “Their investment will not only create jobs and economic opportunity for our people but help power the green revolution right here in Illinois.”