The company began production of lithium-ion battery cells at its facility in Douai, France, while merely days prior, it announced a pause on construction of its facility in South Carolina, USA.

On 5 June, AESC announced that it had paused construction on its US$1.6Bn, 30GWh battery cell manufacturing plant in Florence County, South Carolina. The halt is attributed to uncertainties in US economic policy and market conditions.

The company remains committed to the project but has no fixed timeline for resuming construction. AESC had already cancelled its expansion plans for the facility in February 2025, which was announced in March 2024 with a proposed investment of US$1.5Bn.

Meanwhile, AESC has commenced production at its new 10GWh battery plant in Douai, France. This facility, which will supply Renault, is part of France’s strategy for electric mobility and is expected to employ up to 1,000 people. The project has strong support from the French government and European financial institutions.

While AESC remains committed to its South Carolina project, the lack of a clear timeline for resumption reflects the difficulties posed by the current US administration's policies. On the other hand, the successful launch of the Douai plant underscores France’s proactive approach to fostering industrial growth and transitioning to clean energy.

These contrasting scenarios illustrate how regional policies and economic conditions can significantly influence the progress and success of large-scale industrial projects.