The 12-year-old startup 6K, based in North Andover, Massachusetts, has secured conditional approval for a $250 million loan from the U.S. Department of Defense. The funding is designated for the construction of a new manufacturing facility in Tennessee.
The planned factory will utilize a proprietary microwave-powered production method to manufacture battery materials. This technology aims to reduce reliance on Chinese suppliers for critical components, including cathode materials for various battery chemistries such as lithium iron phosphate.
The company previously faced financial setbacks when a $50 million grant from the Department of Energy, awarded in 2023 under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, was canceled by the Trump administration. This action required 6K to reapply for support.
The project has undergone significant scheduling adjustments. The facility was originally intended to open in 2024, but the loss of the initial grant and broader market uncertainties in the electric vehicle sector forced the company to revise its operational timeline.
