Form Factory 1 set to begin trial production in Weirton | News, Sports, Jobs

MARKING THE MOMENT – Weirton City Manager Mike Adams, center, presents a plaque to Form Energy CEO Mateo Jaramillo, left, as Gov. Jim Justice looks on. — Craig Howell

WEIRTON — Trial production is ready to start at Form Factory 1.

Form Energy, which has been building its first high-volume iron-air battery manufacturing plant in Weirton for a year, welcomed guests and dignitaries Thursday to celebrate the completion of the work and the start of trial production.

“I’m looking out at a sea of ​​people. Every single person in the room today is here because they played an important role in helping us get to this moment, right now,” he added. said Ted Wiley, COO and co-founder. “This is a group of people who believed in us when it mattered, and for that, I thank you.”

Wiley recalls being tasked a few years ago with finding a site for the plant, noting that they were looking for a location with access to river and rail transportation, as well as nearby highways and airports, top universities and a skilled workforce.

The company reviewed more than 500 sites in 16 states, visiting more than 20 locations before selecting Weirton.

PRODUCTION READY – Some of the equipment to be used in the production of Form Energy’s iron-air batteries was available for tours Thursday. Form Factory 1 will move into trial production in the coming weeks. — Craig Howell

“Today marks the beginning of a new chapter, not only for Form, but for the greater Weirton community,” Wiley said. “Weirton is proud of its heritage of building and creating great things from iron and steel. People rightly say that the foundations laid here helped shape our nation. Yes, the place, but also the people, and even back then, I could clearly see the strength, commitment and pride of this community is unmatched and exactly what we needed at Form as partners to mass produce football-field-sized batteries to help secure our nation’s energy grid.”

The project represents an investment of 760 million dollars, with a mix of public and private funds, with the aim of creating 750 jobs.

Mateo Jaramillo, co-founder and CEO, said the company broke ground on May 26, 2023, explaining that he had heard doubts from many people, including investors and other supporters, about how quickly the plant could be completed. He and the Form team, he said, used that as motivation.

“We have extremely high goals for our company and the impact we want to have. Excellence is a core characteristic of what we strive for at Form Energy. That means not just delivering the product, not just the schedule, not just for the community, but exceeding all of those expectations as we move forward. We want to show what’s possible for a former steel mill site, and we want to show what’s possible for a new West Virginia, and we want to show what’s possible for a new economy.”

At the 800,000-square-foot facility, iron-air batteries, which provide energy by rusting and derusting iron, will be produced and shipped to customers across the country. Designed to store about 100 hours of energy, the company attracted interest from several energy providers before the product was even available.

One of those groups is Xcel Energy, whose chairman, Robert Frenzel, was in attendance Thursday. Frenzel admitted he is among those skeptical of Form’s timeline for completing Form Factory 1.

“My God. I’ve never had to eat crow in front of so many people.” Frenzel said, referring to the estimated 900 guests in attendance. “This place is going to succeed.”

Frenzel noted that Xcel Energy plans to purchase half of Form Energy’s production in 2025.

State Sen. Ryan Weld, R-Brooke, noted that he initially couldn’t believe the possibilities Form Energy brought, but became a believer when he met with company officials and saw the progress of construction on Form Factory 1.

“I knew I had a responsibility not to hope too much or expect too much of myself.” Welding said. “I think the worst thing an elected official can do is set up his constituents for another disappointment or another opportunity that won’t come to fruition.”

He said the plant’s construction has brought hope and excitement where uncertainty and skepticism have existed for years. Weld noted that he presented Jaramillo with his grandfather’s Weirton Steel Mill badge in December 2022 as a show of faith, adding that he knows the Form Energy team will carry on the mill’s legacy.

Paraphrasing a speech by President John F. Kennedy in Charleston on June 21, 1963, Weld looked to the future of what Form Energy will be able to do with its batteries, for West Virginia and the rest of the nation.

“Even if the sun doesn’t always shine, West Virginia’s batteries will make sure the lights always shine,” Welding said.

Gov. Jim Justice, accompanied by his canine companion, Babydog, was also among the guests Thursday, reflecting on Weirton’s contributions to the nation and the community’s struggles with the collapse of the steel industry, but also emphasizing the strength of the people.

“We celebrate you. We celebrate our future.” Justice has said.

He spoke about the importance of all energy opportunities – whether it’s batteries produced by Form, or traditional coal and natural gas known in West Virginia.

“Energy is absolutely the key to success,” Justice has said. “Civilization will not progress, it will not progress, unless we have abundant, cheap, clean energy. That’s all there is to it.”

Weirton City Manager Mike Adams was also in attendance, thanking Form Energy on behalf of the community.

“They chose a place that looked rusty and dusty to everyone else. They looked at it and discovered the intrinsic value of the people who live here and those who work here,” Adams said, handing Jaramillo a plaque featuring Weirton Daily Times coverage of the signing of legislation providing state funding for the project in February 2023.

Thursday’s event included limited tours of the production floor, as well as an opportunity to view photos of Weirton’s history and the Form Energy project, a timeline of Weirton Steel’s history and information about the company’s batteries.

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