A symbolic ceremony of laying the foundation stone for the construction of the new Umicore production plant, a global material technology company, took place in Radzikowice. The Belgian company near Nysa will build a factory in which cathode materials will be produced as part of lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles.
The event, which took place at the construction site in Radzikowice, was attended by, among others: CEO Umicore Marc Grynberg, ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium Luc Jacobs, secretary of state at the Ministry of Development Wojciech Murdzek, mayor of Nysa Kordian Kolbiarz, president of the Wałbrzych Special Economic Zone Piotr Sosiński, vice president of Polish Investment and Trade Agency Grzegorz Słomkowski, parliamentarians and representatives of the local community.
In autumn 2019, Umicore obtained a positive environmental decision, issued by the mayor of Nysa and positively assessed, among others, by the Poviat Sanitary Inspector and the Regional Director for Environmental Protection.
The company has many years of experience in the production of materials and metal processing. Umicore representatives emphasized that thanks to the use of modern technologies that meet the highest standards of environmental protection, health and safety, the plant will not have a negative impact on air or water quality.
After obtaining the building permit, intensive construction works began. The cathode material production process is expected to start in 2020. About 400 qualified employees will find employment in the plant. In the coming months, Umicore plans to get involved in many events, such as participation in local job fairs.
The company, thanks to innovative technologies, responsible extraction of raw materials and the use of closed material circulation, is very strongly involved in the transformation process towards electric mobility. We are a leading supplier of cathode materials in electric transport and that is why it is so important for us to be able to reach customers in various regions of the world. The construction of a new production plant in Nysa fits in perfectly with this strategy – emphasized Umicore CEO Marc Grynberg.
The investment in Nysa is an important element of Umicore’s development strategy. It will be the company’s first plant in Europe to produce cathode materials used in the electromobility industry.
Umicore has been present in Poland since 2016. In Nowa Ruda, in Lower Silesia, it produces catalysts that reduce car emissions.
Umicore
Umicore is a global company in the field of materials technology and recycling. It focuses on areas of activity where specialized knowledge in the field of materials engineering, chemistry and metals is important.
Umicore’s activities are divided into three business groups: catalysis, energy and surface technologies, and recycling. Each of them offers the latest materials and market solutions that work well in everyday functioning.
Umicore generates most of its revenues and dedicates most of its R&D to pure mobility materials and recycling. The company’s overarching goal of creating lasting value is based on the ambition to develop, produce and recycle materials in a way that fulfills their mission: materials for a better life.
Umicore’s industrial and commercial activities as well as research and development activities are located all over the world to best serve the global customer base. In 2019, the Group generated a turnover of EUR 17.5 billion (EUR 3.4 billion excluding metal) and currently employs 11,100 people.
