source: HiTHIUM   $200 million facility marks major milestone in China's clean energy export strategy as geopolitical tensions reshape global supply chains

May 29 — HiTHIUM Energy Storage, one of China's leading battery manufacturers, achieved a significant milestone in its global expansion strategy with the official opening of its first U.S. energy storage system manufacturing facility in Mesquite, Texas.

The milestone represents a notable achievement for Chinese clean energy companies seeking to establish manufacturing footprints in the United States amid ongoing trade tensions and supply chain diversification efforts in the renewable energy sector.

Zhang Mizhi, President of HiTHIUM's International Marketing Center, emphasized the strategic significance of the facility: "HiTHIUM has now established a dual-core layout combining our West Coast market hub with this South-Central manufacturing center, creating a comprehensive coast-to-coast service network across the U.S. market and setting new standards for the North American energy storage industry."

The facility's rapid development timeline underscores the urgency with which Chinese companies are pursuing international manufacturing strategies. James Boswell, HiTHIUM's Vice President of North American Operations, noted that "this advanced energy storage facility was completed in just one year, exemplifying 'HiTHIUM Speed' in our globalization efforts."

Boswell outlined the company's four-pillar approach for the Texas operation: "The facility will operate on four key pillars—community partnership, talent development, technological innovation, and operational excellence—helping establish Texas as a North American energy storage industry hub."

Local Economic Impact and Workforce Development

The project has garnered strong support from local officials, who view it as a catalyst for regional economic development. Mesquite Mayor Daniel Alemán Jr. praised HiTHIUM's community investment approach: "This facility opens doors of opportunity for our young people through partnerships with 40 school districts and Dallas-area universities, creating a deep integration of clean energy manufacturing with community educational revitalization that truly drives sustainable economic and social development."

The 484,441-square-foot manufacturing complex represents a nearly $200 million investment and is designed to create approximately 200 high-quality jobs when it reaches full operational capacity in July 2025. The facility will have an annual production capacity of 10 GWh for battery modules and systems, positioning it as a significant player in the rapidly expanding U.S. energy storage market.

Strategic Global Positioning

source: HiTHIUM

HiTHIUM's Texas facility reflects broader trends in the energy storage industry, where Chinese manufacturers are establishing international production capabilities to serve growing global demand while navigating complex geopolitical and trade considerations.

The company has pursued an aggressive globalization strategy since its inception, establishing operations across core markets including China, the United States, and Europe, while actively expanding into emerging markets across the Middle East, Africa, Oceania, and South America. This positions HiTHIUM among the few energy storage companies with comprehensive localized capabilities spanning research and development, manufacturing, supply chain management, marketing, delivery, and maintenance services.

Production Scale and Financial Backing

HiTHIUM's manufacturing capacity underscores the scale of China's energy storage ambitions. In 2024, the company achieved 49.7 GWh in effective annual production capacity for energy storage batteries, with designed annual capacity reaching 62.0 GWh. Beyond its new Texas facility, HiTHIUM operates two production bases in China—located in Xiamen, Fujian Province, and Chongqing—with a third facility under construction in Heze, Shandong Province.

The company's expansion plans received a boost in March when HiTHIUM formally submitted its initial public offering application to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, seeking to list on the main board. The company indicated that proceeds from the offering would partially fund overseas capacity expansion as part of its broader international growth strategy, including the construction of additional overseas production facilities.

The Texas facility opening comes at a critical juncture for the global energy storage industry, as governments worldwide accelerate renewable energy deployment while simultaneously seeking to diversify supply chains away from single-country dependencies. HiTHIUM's investment represents both the opportunities and challenges facing Chinese technology companies as they navigate an increasingly complex international business environment.