Graphite One (Alaska) (G1 AK), a subsidiary of Graphite One, has chosen Ohio's 'Voltage Valley' as the location for its new graphite anode manufacturing plant.
The company has signed a 50-year land lease agreement for a site in Niles, Ohio, with an option to purchase.
This brownfield site was earlier utilised for storing critical minerals for national defence and has been cleared through Ohio's Environmental Protection Agency Voluntary Action Programme.
Initially, the facility will be used to produce synthetic graphite anode active materials, and will also see inclusion of natural graphite anode active materials once the feedstock from the Graphite Creek Project in Alaska is made available.
Graphite One noted that the site has access to low-cost electricity generated via renewable power sources. The site also has road and rail connectivity and nearby barging facilities.
The existing power infrastructure at Voltage Valley is deemed sufficient for the company's Phase 1 production target of 25,000t per year of battery-ready anode material.
There is also potential for expansion, with land available to increase production up to 100,000t per year. The water supply in the area is adequate to support the facility's operations as they grow.
G1 AK president and CEO Anthony Huston said: “Graphite One is delighted to announce that, subject to financing, we will be building our advanced graphite material processing plant in north-east Ohio as the region emerges as a major electric vehicle hub.
“On a historical note, it is great to come full circle, this site also known as the old Warren Depot included graphite in the National Defence Stockpile more than 30 years ago, the last time the US actually mined graphite.
“Ohio is the perfect home for the second link in our strategy to build a 100% US-based advanced graphite supply chain – from mining to refining to recycling. The US simply cannot maintain a 21st-century tech-driven economy without critical minerals like graphite.”
The initial phase of the facility, with a capacity of 25,000t per year, will require an investment of around $435m and is expected to create more than 160 jobs for local residents.
At present, Graphite One is exploring several funding options for the project.
The Warren Depot site, where the facility will be located, can support an expansion to a capacity of 100,000t per year. Construction is expected to begin within the next 36 months, contingent upon securing the necessary financing.
