What does the construction of industrial facilities for producing “hemp batteries” indicate?
The multiplication of industrial production of “hemp batteries” in the USA to the scale once again indicates a growing trend that is manifested in various segments of modern economics and concerns the replacement of fossils with plant raw materials that demonstrate similar characteristics.
Groundbreaking of the WB plant in Portage 04/23/2024
At the beginning of this year, the editors of the
specialized electronic publication of national hemp growers already focused the
attention of our respected readers and listeners on the fact that “ The construction of two factories for the production
of “hemp batteries” has been launched in the USA .” Considering the innovativeness
of technologies related to the production of “hemp batteries” on an industrial
scale, the editors are tracking the fate of the project initiated by the
company “ Wisconsin” Battery Company ” (WB) to build facilities that will
produce “hemp batteries” on a production scale.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the 18-acre WB plant in the
Portage Industrial Park took place on April 23, 2024. According to the
developed business plan, in addition to the production facilities where “hemp
batteries” will be manufactured, the facility will include facilities for
processing used lithium-ion batteries, as well as a full-service cafeteria and
a kindergarten for employees. The project is initially positioned as an
environmental one, as it involves the use of exclusively solar energy as a
power source, which, if necessary, will be accumulated in “hemp batteries”
produced at the enterprises.
In July 2024, recruitment begins for production (assembly,
packaging, shipping, acceptance, etc.), as well as related (logistics, customer
service, etc.) positions for employees of the newly formed production complex.
In November, it is planned to hire additional personnel to prepare for the
“launch” of the main facilities of the enterprise.
Commentary from specialists of the
Association “Ukrainian Industrial Hemp”
“ Wisconsin Battery Company is bringing to life technology
to produce an industrial-scale, environmentally friendly alternative to
lithium-ion batteries, using hemp carbon as a key component of “green
batteries.” The innovative principle of using hemp instead of graphite was
developed by specialists from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee under the
guidance of energy storage researcher Deyan Qiuya . Compared to traditional
lithium-ion batteries, hemp batteries can provide increased energy density,
longer service life, increased charge retention time, and a significant
reduction in environmental impact after the end of life.
The developed know-how is based on sodium-alkaline battery
technology, which uses hemp as a carbon source instead of graphite. This kind
of “green battery”, while providing comparable characteristics to a lithium-ion
battery, turns out to be less expensive and more environmentally friendly . In
addition, the absence of lithium in the “hemp battery” eliminates the national
security risks associated with dependence on its imports from abroad, and
locally produced raw materials of plant origin are used as an effective
replacement for the above-mentioned rare metal.
The multiplication of industrial production of “hemp batteries” in the USA to the scale once again indicates a growing trend that is manifested in various segments of modern economics and concerns the replacement of fossils with plant raw materials that demonstrate similar characteristics.
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