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Vianode to supply synthetic graphite for GM's EVs from

2027 to

2033

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Vianode will supply GM from North American plant

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Vianode says talks underway on plant location

By Nick Carey

LONDON, Jan 15 (Reuters) - General Motors ( GM ) has

signed a multi-year, multi-billion dollar agreement for Norway's

Vianode to provide the U.S. automaker with synthetic graphite

anode materials for its electric vehicle batteries, the

companies said on Wednesday.

The synthetic graphite will be used for EV batteries made by

the Ultium Cells joint venture between GM and LG Energy Solution

.

The deal will run from 2027 when Vianode launches production

at a plant in North America, through to 2033.

"This project will help advance our battery technology and

drive greater value to our customers," Jeff Morrison, GM's

senior vice president of global purchasing and supply chain,

said in a statement.

China controls 95% of the global supply of graphite, which

is vital for EV battery production. This has left western

automakers and governments striving to develop alternative

sources.

"The entire EV ecosystem depends upon the import of one

critical mineral," Vianode CEO Burkhard Straube told Reuters.

"What General Motors ( GM ) wants and we want is a resilient supply

chain for North America."

Straube said Vianode's plant will be either in the United

States or Canada, close to GM and LG's battery production, but

added he could not disclose a location as negotiations with

partners and governments are ongoing.

In its first planned phase, the plant should produce around

80,000 tons of synthetic graphite annually by 2030, or enough to

supply around 1.5 million EVs. Vianode already has a production

plant in operation in Herøya, Norway.

The company is in talks to supply other automakers, Straube

said.

Vianode's synthetic anode graphite has a 90% lower CO2

footprint than conventional production methods and Straube said

his company can scale up faster than a mining operation.

"The EV industry is still growing and exploring a new mine

takes a decade, maybe longer," Straube said. "With synthetic

graphite, you can build another plant in two or three years."