The useful question is what changes for users, developers or buyers, and whether the announcement stays industry context or becomes something people can actually use.

Form Energy has broken ground on an expansion of Form Factory 1 in Weirton, West Virginia, a 55-acre site formerly occupied by the Weirton Steel mill. The project aims to increase manufacturing capacity to support the production of iron-air batteries for the U.S. electric grid. Construction is expected to conclude by the end of 2025, with the expanded facility targeting an annual output of 500 megawatts. The company plans to hire hundreds of local workers, including union laborers, for the expansion effort.

The expansion includes plans to dismantle the old Stock Building, a 1920s structure on the site, due to safety concerns. Form Energy intends to repurpose parts of the building’s steel frame for artwork and employee spaces, while salvaging scrap metal for community projects. An exhibit in the factory lobby, created with the Weirton Area Museum and Cultural Center, showcases historical artifacts and photos from the mill’s past, including planters made from scrap steel by a local carpenter whose father worked at Weirton Steel.

Ted Wiley, Co-Founder, President, and COO of Form Energy, highlighted the significance of expanding the facility at the former steel mill site. He emphasized the company’s commitment to honoring the site’s industrial legacy while advancing battery technology for the future electric grid. The project reflects Form Energy’s efforts to blend historical preservation with modern manufacturing innovation.

Local leaders praised the expansion for revitalizing the Weirton community. Weirton City Manager Mike Adams noted the company’s role in transforming a previously underutilized site into an economic opportunity for the region. The project is expected to create jobs and support the local economy, with plans to hire at least 750 workers at Form Factory 1 by 2028.