Battery materials startup 6K has received a conditional commitment for a $250 million loan from the U.S. Department of Defense to support construction of a manufacturing facility in Jackson, Tennessee. The factory will use microwave-based technology to produce critical battery components domestically, reducing dependence on Chinese suppliers.
The North Andover, Massachusetts-based company announced the financing agreement on November 5, 2026. The proposed loan, provided through the department’s Office of Strategic Capital, remains subject to regulatory approvals, financial reviews, and other conditions before funding can be disbursed.
6K Plans Domestic Production of Critical Battery Materials
The proposed facility, known as PlusCAM, will manufacture cathode active materials used in lithium-ion batteries for defense equipment, drones, electric vehicles, energy storage systems, and robotics. Cathodes are essential battery components that influence energy density, performance, and overall manufacturing costs.
The United States currently depends heavily on foreign suppliers for processed battery materials, particularly from China. 6K aims to establish domestic production capacity that can support American manufacturers while reducing exposure to international supply disruptions.
The company expects its Tennessee facility to support more than 200 jobs. The project is also expected to attract approximately $250 million in additional private investment alongside the proposed federal financing.
Microwave Technology Simplifies Battery Manufacturing
6K has developed a proprietary manufacturing process called UniMelt that uses microwave energy to generate high-temperature plasma for producing advanced materials. The technology can convert metals and alternative feedstocks into cathode materials while eliminating some intermediate processing steps required by conventional manufacturing methods.
According to the company, the process can reduce waste and support production using feedstocks that do not depend on suppliers classified as foreign entities of concern. Its technology can also accommodate different battery chemistries, including lithium iron phosphate.
The manufacturing method has already been used by 6K’s additive manufacturing business to produce specialized metal powders. The Tennessee project would extend the technology into commercial-scale battery material production.
Previous Federal Grant Cancellation Delayed Project
6K previously secured a $50 million Department of Energy grant in 2023 under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. However, the Trump administration canceled the award during a broader review of federal energy funding, forcing the company to seek alternative financial support.
The factory was originally expected to open in 2024, but funding disruptions and uncertainty surrounding electric vehicle demand delayed development. The conditional Pentagon loan provides a potential new financing route for the project.
6K CEO Saurabh Ullal said the investment would help establish domestic manufacturing capacity for industries important to national security and economic development. The company has not announced a revised opening date, and construction funding remains dependent on satisfying the loan’s conditions.
Featured image credits: Magnific.com
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