The Japanese company UBE Corporation has begun construction of the only dimethyl carbonate (DMC) and ethyl and methyl carbonate (EMC) plant in the United States, located in Louisiana.
This project, valued at 500 million dollars, represents a significant milestone not only for the electric vehicle (EV) industry but also for American manufacturing, as it is expected to begin operations in November 2026, providing a national supply of these key compounds in the production of lithium-ion batteries and energy storage.
The plant, which will be developed through the subsidiary UBE C1 Chemicals America, will produce 100,000 tons of DMC and 40,000 tons of EMC annually.
500 million to stop depending on other countries
The commissioning of this facility will reduce dependence on imports and strengthen the manufacturing base in the U.S. Masato Izumihara, president of UBE, highlighted the limited environmental impact of its nitrite process, developed since the 1970s, which produces fewer by-products compared to plants in other regions, particularly in China.
Since the beginning of the construction work, the creation of more than 400 temporary jobs is anticipated. Once the plant is operational, between 50 and 60 full-time jobs will be generated.
This movement is part of a broader trend, as since 2022, at least six companies have planned to build or expand facilities dedicated to EV materials in Louisiana, with a total investment of $2.4 billion and the creation of more than 600 additional jobs.
Michael Hecht, president and CEO of Greater New Orleans, emphasized the importance of the project to strengthen American manufacturing and create high-quality jobs in the Jefferson Parish area, which also indicates progress in economic and environmental sustainability within the technology and energy sector in the country.