HOCHTIEF : Turner Kokosing Industrial SSOE Team Awarded Contract to Build EV Battery Materials Manufacturing Facility for Ascend Elements

Contact:

Turner Construction Company Chris McFadden [e-mail]

Turner Kokosing Industrial SSOE Team Awarded Contract to Build EV Battery Materials Manufacturing Facility for Ascend Elements

Groundbreaking ceremony held in Kentucky on up to $1 billion project that will improve the supply of sustainable battery materials for the U.S. electric vehicle industry.

December 6, 2022 - A groundbreaking ceremony was held recently for an Ascend Elements manufacturing facility in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. The first-of-its-kind plant will use Ascend Elements' patented Hydro-to-Cathode™ direct precursor synthesis process. This closed-loop system manufactures sustainable, engineered battery materials from recycled batteries while reducing reliance on mining and generating minimal waste and carbon emissions compared to traditional cathode manufacturing. Turner Construction Company, Kokosing Industrial, and SSOE will serve as the design-build team on the project.

Once completed, the 500,000 square foot plant will create up to 400 full-time jobs and will produce enough material annually to power more than 250,000 electric vehicles.

"It is great to be part of project that supports rebuilding and recovering efforts in a community which was hit by a monumental tornado late last year. Construction of this plant represents the single largest investment in Western Kentucky history," said Tom Manahan, Senior Vice President of Turner Construction Company. Tom continued, "The result of our efforts will support economic growth in the region and Ascend Elements' goal to produce a domestic source of sustainable lithium-ion cathode material for electric vehicle batteries."

"Kokosing Industrial is proud to be part of the team to deliver this exciting and important project for Ascend Elements and the communities of Western Kentucky," stated Tom Muraski, President of Kokosing Industrial, "We are looking forward to working together with the building trades and local contracting community."

SSOE Business Leader Mathew Bierschbach, who is serving as project manager, commented, "It's always exciting to start seeing our design come to life with the first shovels in the ground. With clearing and grading permitting in place, the Turner / Kokosing team will be able to begin grading the 140-acre site this month while the SSOE team continues the detailed design of the process with Ascend Elements. This 'design-assist' involvement of the construction trades during design helps clients like Ascend save on both cost and schedule."

About Turner Construction Company

Our vision is to be the highest value provider of construction services. We deliver our services on complex and challenging building projects of all types and sizes throughout North America and in 30 countries around the world. We seek to create a healthy, prosperous, and sustainable future for our people, clients, partners, and the planet. We have earned a reputation for integrity, working safely, and driving innovation. With a focus on creating an environment where people can be at their best, be authentic, and be treated with respect and dignity, the company is widely recognized as a great place to work.

Contact:

Turner Construction Company Chris McFadden [e-mail]

Turner is a subsidiary of HOCHTIEF, an engineering-led global infrastructure group with leading positions across its core activities of construction, services, and concessions/public-private partnerships (PPP) focused on Australia, North America, and Europe. To learn more about Turner visit www.turnerconstruction.com.

About Ascend Elements

Based in Westborough, Massachusetts, Ascend Elements is the leading provider of sustainable, closed-loop battery material solutions. From EV battery recycling to commercial-scale production of lithium-ion battery precursor and cathode active materials, the company is revolutionizing the production of sustainable lithium-ion battery materials. Its Hydro-to- Cathode™ direct precursor synthesis technology produces new cathode-active materials (CAM) from spent lithium-ion cells more efficiently than traditional methods, resulting in reduced cost, improved performance, and lowered GHG emissions. With fewer batteries going to landfill and a cleaner manufacturing process, Ascend Elements is taking the lithium-ion battery industry to a higher level of sustainability.

About Kokosing Industrial

Kokosing Industrial is the heavy industrial arm of Kokosing, Inc., one of the largest family-owned construction companies in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic. Respected experts in the industry, our team members have an endless drive for innovation and to solve construction's toughest challenges; this, coupled with our capability of self-performing the work sets Kokosing apart. Our integrated family of companies provides a diverse, complimentary range of services utilizing the largest, most modern, and environmentally friendly construction fleet in our region. From industrial manufacturing facilities and power plants to transportation, pipelines, renewable energy, marine projects, and materials supply, Kokosing delivers complex and time-sensitive projects safely, and economically. Our reputation has been built upon impeccable integrity and dependable service since 1951. To learn more about Kokosing visit www.kokosing.biz and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

About SSOE Group

As an internationally ranked architecture and engineering firm, SSOE is known for delivering unparalleled client value that advances the AEC industry. They have been named a "Great Workplace" (Great Place to Work®) and one of the "Best AEC Firms to Work For" (BD+C).

Over the company's 70-year history, it has earned a reputation for providing quality project solutions to high-tech and general manufacturing clients in the semiconductor, automotive, battery, food, chemical, and glass industries. SSOE also provides forward-thinking design across healthcare and general building sectors such as corporate workplace, education, and judicial-with projects completed in 40 countries. Visit www.ssoe.com for additional information and career opportunities.