Graphite One has secured a new site in Ohio for the first phase of production of 10,000 tonnes of battery materials primarily for energy storage systems and EVs. According to the company, the US is currently 100% import-dependent for natural graphite.
The Canada-headquartered firm said the site in Ashtabula County marks a major step forward in its plans to launch an active anode materials (AAM) plant — including a finishing and blending facility.
Construction of the plant is scheduled for completion in the fourth quarter of 2027. The first phase is expected to involve production of 4,000 tonnes of energy storage material, 3,000 tonnes of fast-charging material and 3,000 tonnes of high-energy-density material.
These materials are intended for use in lithium ion battery applications supporting EVs, grid-scale energy storage and emerging data centre infrastructure demand.
The site deal follows a licence of occupation agreement with Bessemer and Lake Erie Railroad Company, a subsidiary of Canadian National Railway.
G1 said the location has several strategic advantages including direct access to Lake Erie and the Great Lakes shipping corridor.
In parallel with phase one production, G1 will evaluate a second-phase expansion, with completion of construction in the third quarter of 2028 and graphitisation capacity of 25,000 tonnes per year.
The expansion will boost the firm’s goal of becoming a potential domestic supplier of AAM at a time when North American supply chains continue to seek localised sources of critical battery inputs, G1 said.
Meanwhile, the firm said it has already delivered commercial-grade anode material samples, including quantities of up to 20kg to three major EV manufacturers and three leading battery companies.
All of the companies, which were not named, are now conducting specification testing. Talks are also under way regarding potential binding offtake agreements with certain participants.
G1 said the AAM project is a key link in its development strategy, including its Graphite Creek resource in Alaska — identified by the US Geological Survey as the largest graphite deposit in the US and among the largest globally — with downstream processing capabilities in Ohio.
Recent feasibility studies have indicated proven and probable mineral reserve tonnage at Graphite Creek is now 317% of the pre-feasibility study (PFS) reserve estimate, and contained graphite is 296% of the PFS estimate.
According to the European Carbon and Graphite Association, the average EV battery contains typically 50-100kg of graphite.
CEO Anthony Huston said: “We now have a defined path from site control through development to production and customer engagement.
“Our objective is to establish a vertically integrated, US-based supply chain capable of supporting long-term North American battery demand.”
