Submitted rendering / The Ohio State University Shown is a rendering of the battery cell research and development center that willl be built as part of a partnership between The Ohio State University and American Honda Motor Co.

Staff report

Ohio soon will be home to a new battery cell research and development center at The Ohio State University, expected to accelerate domestic production of battery cell materials and manufacturing technologies.

The private-public 25,000-square foot facility was announced Monday by the Columbus university in conjunction with Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, congressional leaders, American Honda Motor Company, Schaeffler Americas and JobsOhio officials. It is slated to open in April 2025.

With $22 million in commitments to date, the center is set to be managed and operated at Ohio State by the Institute for Materials and Manufacturing Research (IMR), according to information released by the university.

“We have more reach and impact when we work with our partners at the local, state and federal levels and we join industry-leading partners like Honda and Schaeffler,” said Peter Mohler, acting president and executive vice president for research, innovation and knowledge at Ohio State.

Honda will serve as lead foundational partner for the project and has committed $15 million for the research and development center.

“Honda is committed to an electrified future for our automobiles, motorcycles and power products worldwide,” said Bob Nelson, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “This facility will be a great resource to train the next-generation workforce in advanced manufacturing technologies.”

The completed project also will create a hub for academic and industry connections across chemical and physical sciences, engineering, business and policy. Once completed, the project will create a strong pipeline of industry talent while also attracting electric vehicle battery manufacturing and supply chain businesses to help support the evolving vision for the industry.

“Ohio business leaders are celebrating today’s announcement and this public-private partnership that will help position Ohio to remain the center of automobile innovation,” said Ohio Manufacturers’ Association President Ryan Augsburger. “The creation of this facility will not only advance Ohio’s economy, it will turbocharge our workforce development to prepare Ohioans to innovate new products and manufacturing processes that will enhance our EV, aerospace, and electronics industries.”

Husted agreed.

“Establishing this battery technologies innovation center on Ohio State’s campus will play a key role in ensuring that we continue to be pioneers in automotive and sustainability advancements.”

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, who also was in attendance at the announcement said, “We know how to make cars in Ohio. The auto industry is our past, and our future. The next generation of vehicles that families will drive all over the country and all over the world will be made in Ohio, by Ohio workers. … This is how we are burying the term ‘Rust Belt.'”

Federal funding will support a 4,000-square-foot dry room, necessary for the assembly of battery cells due to the extreme moisture sensitivity of cell components.

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