Ford injects $108 million into BTR battery plant in Morocco

Monday 31 August 2026 - 12:20

By: Azzat Manal

Ford injects $108 million into BTR battery plant in Morocco

Ford has provided $108 million in advance funding to a battery materials project operated by Chinese group BTR in Morocco, highlighting the growing integration of the North African country's industrial sector into global electric vehicle supply chains.

According to BTR's financial disclosures, Ford has already paid $108 million out of a total agreement valued at $120 million. The deal is linked to future supplies of synthetic graphite, a key material used in the production of anodes for electric vehicle batteries.

The investment concerns BTR's anode manufacturing facility at the Mohammed VI Tangier Tech industrial complex. The advance-payment arrangement provides the Moroccan project with financial support during the development and equipment phase, while allowing Ford to secure future supplies of an essential battery component.

The agreement illustrates a broader trend in the electric vehicle industry, with major automakers increasingly seeking long-term arrangements with battery-material suppliers. Such contracts can help manufacturers reduce supply-chain risks and secure access to strategically important materials as global demand for electric vehicles continues to grow.

The partnership between Ford and BTR dates back to at least August 2024, when the Chinese company indicated that its Moroccan subsidiary was preparing potential supply and advance-payment agreements with Ford or affiliated companies, with a value of up to $120 million.

The U.S. International Trade Commission also referenced the agreement in a report published in 2026, noting that BTR's Tangier facility is designed to eventually reach an annual production capacity of approximately 60,000 tonnes of active anode materials.

The presence of a major international customer could provide an important commercial foundation for the Moroccan plant by linking part of its expected production directly to the supply chain of one of the world's leading automakers.

BTR's investment in Morocco forms part of a wider strategy focused on developing battery-material manufacturing capabilities in the country. The Chinese group is also developing cathode-material production facilities, strengthening Morocco's ambitions to establish itself as a regional hub for electric vehicle components.

The group's cathode project is designed to reach a final annual production capacity of around 50,000 tonnes. Combined investments associated with the anode and cathode projects are estimated at approximately 6 billion Moroccan dirhams and are expected to create more than 1,150 direct jobs.

Moroccan authorities have previously indicated that both projects were progressing toward production during 2026. The agreement with Ford could therefore provide an important commercial outlet for part of the future output of the Moroccan facilities.

Beyond the value of the advance payment, the partnership demonstrates how Morocco's emerging battery industry is becoming increasingly connected to the requirements of global automotive manufacturers.

Pre-production supply agreements with major international companies can give industrial projects greater visibility over future demand while strengthening their position within international value chains. They can also make the country more attractive to additional investors involved in battery materials, components and related technologies.

The development of BTR's facilities at Mohammed VI Tangier Tech is consequently becoming part of Morocco's broader effort to build an industrial ecosystem around electric vehicles. Ford's substantial advance payment signals that these projects are moving beyond the investment stage and toward direct commercial relationships with major global automotive players.