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In a context of energy transition, lithium has become critical to the development of low-carbon mobility. But lithium supply is a key issue. To date, lithium production is highly concentrated in three non-European countries: Australia, Chile and China, which also manufactures 79% of batteries.
Global demand for lithium has doubled over the last ten years. Driven by the transition to electric vehicles, global consumption of this metal is expected to increase 42-fold by 2040 compared with 2020 (International Energy Agency).
But lithium supply is a key issue. To date, lithium production is highly concentrated in three non-European countries: Australia, Chile and China, which also manufactures 79% of batteries. The current geopolitical crises show that it is risky to depend solely on foreign sources of supply for critical materials.
The company has selected a factory site in the United States, with plans to repurpose a former glass manufacturing facility to produce 4 GW of solar glass per year. It said it plans to partner with a US glass manufacturer, bringing glass manufacturing expertise, purchasing power for equipment and raw materials, and in-house engineering capability.
Canadian Premium Sand (CPS) plans to open a 4 GW solar glass factory in the United States, in addition to 6 GW of annual production in Manitoba, Canada. From pv magazine USA CPS, which manufactures pattern glass for solar panels, has announced updates for its Canadian factory in Manitoba and revealed plans to open a US facility.
CPS sees an opportunity in Manitoba to act on our vision for sustainable economic prosperity. For too long, North America has had to import 100% of its patterned solar glass demand — even though Canada has an abundance of premium, accessible raw materials like high-purity silica sand and is an energy exporter.
With a combined output of 10 GW of solar glass, CPS aims to become North America’s largest patterned solar glass supplier and the only vertically integrated glass manufacturer on the continent.
