Morocco is set to become a key cathode producer following more than $700 million of announced investments by Chinese companies in the country, according to Benchmark Intelligence.

Total planned capacity is already around a quarter of Europe’s total forecast capacity, after China’s BTR announced a RMB 3.5-billion (US$490-million) investment into a new facility in December 2023.

The new plant, located in Tangier Technopark City, Tangier Province, will be able produce 50,000 tons of cathode for lithium-ion batteries a year. BTR is a subsidiary of China Bao’an Group and a trusted supplier for Tesla.

Almost all of Morocco’s cathode capacity was added last year when a surge of Chinese investments from the likes of Huayou Cobalt, CNGR and Tinci were announced.

One of the biggest factors attracting the foreign investment are Morocco’s free trade ties to the US and Europe, making it an ideal operational base for Chinese companies looking to enter these markets.

In addition, Morocco’s natural resources have also been a major factor in attracting foreign investment, including its reserves of phosphate—a mineral used to make lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathodes.

Morocco’s phosphate reserves are up to 50 billion tons—71% of the global total.