Work on a project to produce anode materials for lithium ion batteries has progressed smoothly in Jiuyuan district, Baotou, in North China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region, according to local media.

On completion the project, which is funded by Inner Mongolia Shanshan Technology Co with an investment of 3.8 billion yuan ($554 million), will produce 100,000 tons of lithium ion battery anode material annually. It is expected to provide employment for 600 people.

The project involves building anode material production lines -- including processing coke raw materials, natural graphite, low temperature modifications, carbonization, graphitization, finished product processing, testing, packaging and storage.

The factor for the graphitization process, with an annual output of 50,000 tons, will be located in Jiuyuan Industrial Park. It will require investment of 1.2 billion yuan and cover 23.3 hectares.

After being put into production, it is estimated that annual profit and tax revenue will reach 90 million yuan.

Workers weld at the lithium ion battery anode materials plant, funded by Inner Mongolia Shanshan Technology Co, on July 10. [Photo/publicity department of Jiuyuan district]