Record subsidy: Poland supports Ascend Elements with up to 285 million euros

The US battery company is planning sustainable pCAM production in Poland. One of the largest subsidies in Poland's history.

Warsaw, May 12, 2025 - The Polish government has promised Ascend Elements a cash grant of up to PLN 1.22 billion (approx. EUR 285 million). The funds come from the EU's Temporary Crisis and Transformation Facility (TCTF) and are among the largest state funding commitments in Poland's history. The money is intended to support the establishment of a sustainable production facility for precursor cathode active material (pCAM), a key material for lithium-ion batteries.

Strategic investment in Europe's battery supply

The US company is planning to build its first European pCAM factory at an already identified site in Poland. The aim is to commercially produce nickel-manganese-cobalt materials from recycled lithium-ion batteries using the company's proprietary Hydro-to-Cathode® technology. This enables lower-CO₂ production than conventional processes.

This project is more than just an investment, it is a significant contribution to building a circular, climate-friendly supply chain for battery materials in Europe.

Tomasz Poznar, SVP at Ascend Elements

The move is part of the company's long-term growth strategy in Europe and complements existing activities such as the joint venture with Elemental Strategic Metals in Zawiercie.

Signal for Poland as a business location and European industrial policy

The Polish government also sees the project as a boost for regional development and technological expertise. "Battery projects like this are central pillars of our investment strategy," says Pawel Pudlowski from the Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH). The deal strengthens Poland's role in the European battery value chain and could serve as a model for other international settlements.