Wildcat Discovery Technologies and EnergyX Announce Joint Venture

The joint venture between Wildcat Discovery Technologies and EnergyX marks a deliberate move to build a domestic LFP cathode materials operation in Hooks, Texas, expanding U.S. battery supply capabilities. The Phase 1 facility is planned to produce about 15,000 metric tonnes per year on a 330-acre site at the TexAmericas Center, near the Red River Army Depot and adjacent to EnergyX’s Project Lonestar lithium plant. Total project investment exceeds $230 million, with substantial private-sector support from sponsors, and the facility is designed for future expansion to meet growing demand for energy storage, electric vehicles, and defense applications. If DOE funds are approved, federal support could accelerate construction, commissioning, and scale-up of one of the first meaningful domestic LFP cathode plants in the United States. The venture expects about 150 direct permanent jobs and 800-1,200 indirect and construction roles in Northeast Texas, with local workforce partners, community colleges, and veterans’ organizations involved in hiring and training. EnergyX is anticipated to supply the majority, if not all, of the lithium carbonate under favorable terms including a discount and a price floor and ceiling; IDTechEx estimates lithium precursors account for 60-85% of the LFP cathode BOM, underscoring potential cost stability for the project.