Vianode, JR Energy Solution sign graphite offtake LOI  

Norwegian graphite manufacturer Vianode announced Tuesday it has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with South Korean battery component manufacturer JR Energy Solution for the supply of synthetic anode graphite for batteries powering electric vehicles and energy storage systems, establishing a foothold in Asia’s battery market. 

The LOI sets the intention to explore a future offtake agreement for synthetic anode graphite produced by Vianode, beginning with supply from its Via ONE facility in Norway and later transitioning to Via TWO, its planned large-scale site in St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada. 

As part of the LOI, the companies will collaborate on product validation, qualification pathways, and supply chain integration, with the aim of leveraging Vianode’s low-emission synthetic graphite technology to address rising global demand for high-quality battery materials, Vianode said.  

More than 95% of the synthetic graphite used in lithium-ion battery cells is currently manufactured in China, leaving global markets heavily dependent on these imports. 

“South Korea represents a critical hub in the global battery value chain, and this agreement is an important milestone in our ambition to become a leading supplier of advanced anode materials worldwide,” Vianode’s director, business development Glen Kozeli said in a news release. 

 “We are seeing clear demand for high-quality, non-Chinese graphite solutions, and this collaboration positions us to support our partners with reliable, low-emission materials as the industry continues to scale.”