Norwegian synthetic graphite producer Vianode has chosen Canada as the location for its new large-scale EV battery material plant. The facility, set to begin operations in 2027, will play a critical role in General Motors’ (GM) North American EV supply chain, following the multi-billion-dollar agreement signed between GM and Vianode last week. The plant is expected to produce 75,000 metric tons of synthetic graphite annually during its first phase, with plans to double capacity to 150,000 metric tons in subsequent phases.
The new Vianode facility will supply synthetic graphite to GM’s Ultium Cells, a joint venture with LG Energy Solution, aiming to reduce GM’s reliance on foreign suppliers. This aligns with GM’s broader strategy to localize EV battery production in North America. The recent supplier agreement between GM and Vianode, which spans 2027 to 2033, underscores the growing demand for locally sourced battery materials to support the transition to electric vehicles.
Vianode, which established its first full-scale production facility in Norway in 2024 at a cost of $250 million, is now scaling up significantly with its North American plant. Although the total investment for the new Canadian plant is expected to be in the billions, exact figures remain undisclosed.Vianode CEO Burkhard Straube emphasized the importance of this plant in developing a robust North American EV supply chain. However, the potential impact of future political shifts, such as changes in U.S. trade policies under the incoming Trump administration, could influence cross-border EV manufacturing and imports from Canada.
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