South Korean battery materials manufacturer EcoPro BM paused construction of its planned USD 1.2 billion cathode materials plant in Bécancour, Quebec in June 2025. The facility was planned to be a key component of Canada’s emerging EV battery supply chain alongside others like Canada’s first and only commercial-scale battery manufacturing plant located in Windsor. The suspension, announced last year, is a show of the impacts of U.S. tariffs, slower-than-expected EV demand, and shifting strategies among automakers. Additionally, while the company described the halt as temporary, it has not indicated when construction may resume. This leaves the project’s timeline uncertain despite earlier expectations that the facility would begin production around 2026.

Key Reasons for the Suspension of EcoPro Quebec Battery Plant

1. Slower-than-expected EV demand

Electric vehicle adoption in North America has grown more slowly than industry forecasts. This has reduced immediate demand for battery materials.

2. U.S. tariffs and trade uncertainty

New U.S. trade tariffs under President Donald Trump has affected automotive and battery supply chains. This is through increased cost and uncertainty for cross-border battery manufacturing investments.

3. Withdrawal of a key project partner

Ford Motor Company exited the venture earlier, citing changes in EV technology strategy and cost considerations. This also weakened the project’s commercial foundation.

4. Automaker strategy shifts

Ford and other automakers have scaled back EV rollout timelines, especially for large EV vehicles, which directly affects demand for cathode materials.

5. Industry-wide battery supply chain reassessments

Battery manufacturers and automakers are reassessing expansion plans to avoid overcapacity while EV adoption stabilizes.

6. Project redesign and technical reevaluation

Earlier pauses also occurred because the companies reconsidered plant design and process technologies, delaying construction progress.

7. Financial and market pressure

Falling demand projections and shifting EV economics also created financial pressure on the joint venture partners, possibly prompting a pause.

Companies and Stakeholders Involved at EcoPro Quebec Battery Plant

Developer and Project Owner

EcoPro BM – South Korean cathode materials manufacturer

Project Company

EcoPro CAM Canada – Canadian subsidiary managing the project

Strategic Partner

Ford Motor Company – initial automotive partner (later withdrew)

Battery Partner

SK On – EV battery manufacturer (original supply chain partner)

Policy Stakeholders

Government of Quebec – provincial economic support and incentives

Government of Canada – federal battery supply chain initiatives

EcoPro Halts $1.2 Billion Quebec Battery Plant as Tariffs Weigh on EV Market

Reported June 11, 2025 – EcoPro BM, a South Korea–based battery materials manufacturer, announced that it will pause construction on its $1.2 billion plant in Bécancour, Quebec, starting in early June. This interruption stems from pressure from U.S. tariffs and slower-than-expected EV demand, which have introduced significant uncertainty into the North American market. Although the company didn’t specify a date, its statement noted that the decision followed “several weeks” of internal discussions as it navigates a shifting policy landscape .

Temporary Standstill Amid Global Trade Tensions

EcoPro clarified that the suspension is temporary, but conceded that it’s too soon to say how long the pause might last given current market conditions. This isn’t the first delay at the Bécancour site, work was previously halted twice last year. Despite these interruptions, the facility, which began construction in fall 2023, remains targeted for production in early 2026 under the original schedule.

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Ford Departure Highlights Industry Realignments

Originally, Ford was a partner in this venture, but the automaker pulled out last year, citing evolving EV technologies and cost considerations. Even after Ford’s exit, EcoPro expressed confidence in the project’s long-term viability and reaffirmed its intent to continue construction. Nonetheless, the current tariff environment and weak EV growth have forced the company to pause and reevaluate its next steps.

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Navigating Uncertain Waters Toward Resilience

This construction pause reflects broader challenges facing Canada’s battery supply chain, as cross-border dependencies, trade friction, and uneven EV adoption continue to create instability. Still, EcoPro remains actively engaged with automakers and battery producers in an effort to readjust and proceed when conditions improve. While the company labels the suspension temporary, it acknowledges that timing for resumption will depend on broader market clarity and policy stability.

EcoPro Quebec Battery Plant Overview

Project Name: EcoPro BM Battery Materials Plant

Total Investment: CAD 1.2 billion (~USD 900 million)

Location: Bécancour, Quebec (midway between Montreal and Quebec City)

Developer: EcoPro BM (South Korea-based)

Original Timeline:

Construction began: Fall 2023

Production targeted: Early 2026

Latest Update:

Construction paused: Early June 2025

Reason: Temporary halt due to U.S. tariffs and softening EV demand

Previous pauses: Occurred twice in 2024 due to market and design challenges

Former Partner: Ford Motor Company (left in 2024, citing shifting EV tech and costs)