A new plant producing anode materials for lithium ion batteries went into operation in Baotou in North China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region on Jan 18, according to a report in the Baotou Daily.

The facility, funded by Inner Mongolia Shanshan Technology Co with an investment of 3.8 billion yuan ($554 million), will produce 100,000 tons of lithium ion battery anode material annually.

It will provide employment for 600 people.

The plant has anode material production lines that are involved in processing coke raw materials, natural graphite, low temperature modifications, carbonization, graphitization, finished product processing, testing, packaging and storage.

Another facility -- a factory for the graphitization process with an annual output of 50,000 tons -- is located in Jiuyuan Industrial Park. Officials said it will require investment of 1.2 billion yuan and cover 23.3 hectares.

After being put into production, it is estimated that the plant’s annual profit and tax revenue will be around 90 million yuan.