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Pure Lithium Corporation is relocating its entire operations from Boston to Chicago, investing $46 million to establish the first commercial lithium metal battery manufacturing facility in Illinois.
The move, supported by Illinois' REV program, signifies Pure Lithium's transition from R&D to large-scale production, targeting EV, grid storage, drone, and defense markets.
Illinois attracted Pure Lithium due to its robust infrastructure, skilled workforce, competitive incentives, and proximity to Argonne National Laboratory for collaborative research.
This relocation strengthens Illinois' clean energy economy and manufacturing sector, aligning with the state's Economic Growth Plan and fostering job creation.
Pure Lithium Corporation, a developer of next-generation battery technology, announced its decision to relocate its entire operations from Boston to Chicago, Illinois, supported by a $46 million investment and incentives from the state's Reimagining Energy and Vehicles (REV Illinois) program. The move, effective July 10, 2025, positions Illinois to become a key manufacturing hub for the company's commercially viable lithium metal batteries, targeting critical sectors including electric vehicles, grid-scale energy storage systems, consumer electronics, and defense applications.
Following its initial research and development phase in Boston, Pure Lithium will establish its new production and manufacturing facility in Chicago’s Fulton Market district this year. This strategic relocation is a decisive step in the company's transition from pure R&D to scaling for commercial production, necessitating new technologies, facilities, and skillsets. Pure Lithium Founder and CEO Emilie Bodoin stated, "This move allows us to construct a semi-automated battery pilot line vertically integrating our lithium metal reactor, and the incentives assist in funding critical pilot equipment, accelerating our timeline to market."
Illinois's robust infrastructure, skilled workforce, and competitive incentive programs were cited as primary factors in Pure Lithium's decision. Governor JB Pritzker welcomed the company, emphasizing its contribution to job creation and the state's burgeoning clean energy ecosystem. DCEO Director Kristin Richards highlighted Illinois's role as a clean energy leader, offering a world-class workforce and top-rated infrastructure. The state's commitment to attracting and supporting manufacturing jobs in the clean energy sector aligns with its broader Economic Growth Plan.
Furthermore, the relocation places Pure Lithium in close proximity to Argonne National Laboratory, a leading scientific institution with which the company is already collaborating on a U.S. Department of Energy-funded project to scale lithium metal anode production using recycled lithium. This synergy between industry and national research facilities was a significant draw. Intersect Illinois President and CEO Christy George noted that Illinois offers a complete package for clean energy manufacturers, including access to a highly skilled workforce and renowned research institutions.
Pure Lithium's $46 million investment and commitment to creating or moving 50 jobs to Illinois underscore the impact of the REV Illinois program, which provides competitive incentives for manufacturers in the EV and renewables sectors. Senator Lakesia Collins (D – Chicago) affirmed that this investment supports the state’s goals of growing clean energy production and manufacturing. This development builds upon recent expansions by other manufacturing companies like Damera Corporation, Rivian, and Wieland North America, further solidifying Illinois's position in the clean energy economy.