Graphite One has signed a land lease for the construction of its graphite electrode material manufacturing plant in Ohio’s Voltage Valley. The lease runs for a minimum of 50 years and contains an option to purchase and a commitment to begin construction within 36 months, subject to financing. The Niles site is a former U.S. government stockpile that has been remediated as part of the State of Ohio’s environmental protection program.
Initial capacity of 25,000 tons and an expansion option
The Ohio site was selected because of its central location to the automotive industry, the availability of low-cost renewable energy, and good access to road, rail and barge networks. The site’s existing power lines and water supply are expected to be sufficient for Graphite One’s initial annual production target of 25,000 tons of battery-grade anode material. Expansion to up to 100,000 tons per year is possible at a later date.
Initial investment of around 435 million dollars
The Ohio facility will initially produce synthetic graphite anode material. Production is expected to begin as soon as raw material is available from the company’s Graphite Creek project near Nome, Alaska. The company estimates the initial investment for the phase-1 plant with an annual capacity of 25,000 tons at around 435 million US dollars.
