South Korea’s Solus to build copper foil facility in Quebec

A subsidiary of South Korea’s Solus Advanced Materials is set to construct a copper foil facility in Quebec, Canada, which will produce essential technology for electric vehicle (EV) batteries. The project, called Volta Energy Solutions, is valued at CAD 700 million (approximately $514.37 million) and is expected to reach full production capacity by 2026.

Copper foil is a critical component used as an anode collector in the manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries for EVs. Canada, with its rich mining sector specializing in minerals like lithium, nickel, and cobalt, aims to attract companies operating in various segments of the EV supply chain. This initiative aligns with global efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

The Volta plant in Granby, Quebec, is anticipated to provide employment for 260 individuals and contribute to the province’s ambition to establish itself as an EV supply chain hub, particularly in the nearby town of Becancour. The Canadian federal government and the Quebec provincial government are both collaborating with Volta on this project, although specific investment details were not immediately disclosed.

This move comes shortly after a consortium comprising Ford and South Korean firms announced plans to build a CAD 1.2 billion plant for the production of EV battery materials in Becancour.

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Germany turns to a €30 billion derisking machine to prove it can still invest

Germany has now put a concrete vehicle behind its broader “deliver, don’t just announce” investment narrative: the federal government has launched the €30 billion Deutschlandfonds, a KfW-run program designed to mobilize private capital into projects that Berlin regards as central to restoring competitiveness after several years of near-stagnation.

The fund is structured explicitly as a de-risking platform, using guarantees, loans, and selective equity participation, rather than as a classic state spending pot, with KfW indicating that newly authorized guarantees account for the overwhelming majority of the envelope. The government’s stated objective is to use this as “seed” support that catalyzes roughly €130 billion of additional private investment.

China, EU revive trade dialogue to hedge against Trump’s tariff onslaught

As the global trade war intensifies, China and the European Union are moving to reinforce their economic partnership, signaling a shared interest in resisting U.S. trade pressure and stabilizing global commerce. In a video call held Tuesday, China’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefčovič exchanged views on expanding bilateral trade ties, reactivating stalled negotiations, and creating new buffers against U.S. protectionism.

The two sides discussed restarting talks on trade relief and moving quickly to launch negotiations on electric vehicle (EV) price commitments. These efforts come at a moment of heightened urgency, as U.S. President Donald Trump escalates his tariff campaign.

EU and US move to build a critical minerals front against China

The EU and the US are moving toward a coordinated critical-minerals framework that would be significant not just as an industrial policy measure, but as a geopolitical statement of shared intent to reduce dependence on Chinese-controlled supply chains.

A draft action plan indicates the two sides are considering incentives such as minimum prices to support non-Chinese suppliers, alongside cooperation on standards, investment, joint projects, and responses to future supply disruptions. The draft memorandum would cover the full value chain, from exploration and extraction to refining, recycling, and recovery.

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