Vianode, a Norwegian producer of advanced battery materials, has started site preparation at its new synthetic graphite facility Via TWO in St. Thomas, Ontario.
Production is expected to start in 2028. The site is located in the Yarmouth Yards Industrial Park, close to key automotive customers, and offers access to Ontario’s electricity grid and strong support from local and provincial authorities.
Subject to reaching a definitive agreement, the Government of Ontario will provide a loan of up to C$670 million ($484 million) in support of Vianode’s investment.
The project is structured as a phased multi-billion-dollar investment. The total planned capacity is up to 150,000 tons annually, supporting delivery of synthetic graphite for around two million EVs per year.
Vianode started Norwegian synthetic graphite production at its Technology Center in Kristiansand in 2021 and commissioned its first full-scale plant Via ONE at Herøya in 2024. The St. Thomas facility is part of the company’s goal to supply advanced materials for up to three million EVs annually by 2030.
“Today marks an important step towards a resilient North American battery supply chain. Ontario and the city of St. Thomas have been strong partners from day one, and Via TWO will bring industrial-scale, low-emission graphite to market through a phased build-out that supports customers, communities and the clean energy transition,” said Burkhard Straube, CEO of Vianode.
Source: Vianode
