Project Bulletin: November 7, 2023

Eight months after Texas Instruments announced its $11 billion investment in Lehi, Utah, construction has begun.

Rendering courtesy of Texas Instruments

Last week Texas Instruments began construction on its $11 billion, 300-mm semiconductor manufacturing facility in Lehi, Utah. This investment will significantly increase the company’s presence in the state, as the new facility joins the site Texas Instruments acquired from Micron Technology back in 2021. In Site Selection’s May issue, Texas Instruments Spokeswoman Ellen Fishpaw said that after a competitive site selection process the city beat out other contenders due to its skilled talent pool, robust existing infrastructure and community partner network. Out of all of the company’s 300-mm wafer fabs in both Utah and Texas, this plant will be the most environmentally efficient and will be powered by 100% renewable energy. Construction on the second facility is expected to last for three years with operations expected to begin in 2026, creating 800 new jobs.

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By 2029, BHP’s Jansen potash project will have completed both phases of construction.

Photo courtesy of BHP

As mining company BHP is in the midst of phase one of its Jansen potash project in Canada’s Saskatchewan province, the company will begin phase two with a $4.9 billion investment. The November announcement states that this additional investment will make the Jansen site one of the largest potash mines in the world, producing about 8.5 million tons of potassium per annum. Phase one is expected to be complete by the end of 2026, while phase two will become operational in 2029. “This is an important milestone that emphasizes our confidence in potash and marks the next phase of the company’s growth in Canada. We believe Jansen will deliver long-term value for shareholders and the local community, and position BHP as one of the leaders in the industry global potassium supply,” said BHP CEO Mike Henry. “The Phase 2 investment advances BHP’s strategy of increasing its exposure to commodities positively leveraged on global megatrends of population growth, urbanization, rising living standards and decarbonization. Potassium, used in fertilizers, will be essential for food security and more sustainable agriculture.” Watch for more from Western Canada in the January 2024 issue of Site Selection.

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In total Toyota has invested $13.9 billion at its Toyota Battery North Carolina campus.

Photo courtesy of Toyota

Toyota continues to build upon its lithium-ion battery manufacturing capabilities in Liberty, North Carolina, with a newly announced $8 billion investment catered toward battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles. “Today’s announcement reinforces Toyota’s commitment to electrification and carbon reduction, bringing jobs and future economic growth to the region,” said Toyota North Carolina President Sean Suggs. “We are excited to see the continued energy and support of this innovative manufacturing facility.” The company now is investing a total of $13.9 billion at Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina and this funding will aid the production facility in reaching 30 gigawatt-hours annually. The announcement states that 3,000 new jobs will also be created at the 7-million-sq.-ft. campus for a total of 5,000 employees on site. An additional eight production lines will be built out in phases and are expected to come online through 2030 for a total of 18 battery lines.

Reports compiled and written by Alexis Elmore