Graphite One and Lucid Enter into Non-Binding Supply Agreement

Rhea-AI Summary

Graphite One (TSXV: GPH) and Lucid (NASDAQ: LCID) have entered into a non-binding supply agreement for anode active materials (AAM). This marks the first synthetic graphite agreement between a U.S. graphite developer and a U.S. EV company. The agreement involves 5,000 tonnes per annum of synthetic graphite for an initial 5-year term, subject to Graphite One commencing production.

Graphite One plans to develop a complete U.S.-based advanced graphite supply chain, including an AAM facility in Warren, Ohio. The company aims to produce 25,000 tonnes per year in Phase 1, with potential to scale up to 100,000 tonnes per year. This agreement aligns with Graphite One's goal to address the United States' 100% import dependence on synthetic and natural graphite.

Positive

• First synthetic graphite supply agreement between a U.S. graphite developer and U.S. EV company
• Non-binding supply agreement for 5,000 tonnes per annum of synthetic graphite
• Potential for Graphite One to generate revenue by 2027
• Plans for a complete U.S.-based advanced graphite supply chain
• Proposed AAM facility in Warren, Ohio with initial production target of 25,000 tonnes per year

Negative

• Agreement is non-binding and subject to various conditions
• Project financing required to build the AAM facility
• Production has not yet commenced

Insights

Financial Analyst

This non-binding supply agreement between Graphite One and Lucid marks a significant milestone in the U.S. electric vehicle (EV) supply chain. While it's a positive development, investors should approach it with measured optimism.

The agreement for 5,000 tonnes per annum of synthetic graphite represents a substantial portion of Graphite One's planned initial production capacity of 25,000 tonnes per year. This could provide a stable revenue stream, potentially starting in 2027, subject to project financing and production commencement.

However, several factors warrant careful consideration:

• The non-binding nature of the agreement means it's not a guaranteed contract.
• The pricing mechanism, linked to future market prices, introduces an element of uncertainty in revenue projections.
• The agreement's 5-year term, while providing some medium-term stability, is relatively short in the context of mining projects.
• Graphite One still needs to secure financing for its AAM facility, which is a significant hurdle.

Investors should monitor Graphite One's progress in securing project financing, developing its Warren, Ohio facility and potentially converting this non-binding agreement into a firm contract. The company's ability to meet production targets and quality standards will be important for its long-term success in this competitive market.

EV Industry Analyst

This agreement between Graphite One and Lucid is a noteworthy development in the U.S. EV industry's push towards supply chain localization. It aligns with the broader trend of 'friendshoring' critical materials for EV batteries, driven by geopolitical concerns and government initiatives like the Inflation Reduction Act.

For Lucid, this agreement represents a strategic move to secure a domestic supply of synthetic graphite, a critical component for EV batteries. This could potentially provide Lucid with several advantages:

• Reduced supply chain risks associated with international dependencies
• Potential cost benefits from domestic sourcing, especially considering IRA incentives
• Enhanced marketing appeal for 'Made in America' EVs
• Improved supply chain transparency and potentially lower carbon footprint

However, it's important to note that Lucid's current production volumes are relatively low. In Q1 2023, Lucid produced 2,314 vehicles. The 5,000 tonnes per annum agreement suggests Lucid is planning for significant production scaling, which aligns with their announced plans but also carries execution risks.

For the broader EV industry, this agreement sets a precedent for domestic graphite supply deals. If successful, it could encourage similar agreements, potentially accelerating the development of a robust U.S.-based EV supply chain.

Materials Science Expert

The focus on synthetic graphite in this agreement is particularly interesting from a materials science perspective. Synthetic graphite, while more expensive to produce than natural graphite, offers several advantages for EV batteries:

• Higher purity and consistency, leading to improved battery performance
• Better cycling stability, potentially extending battery life
• Higher capacity retention at fast charge/discharge rates

Graphite One's plan to develop both natural and synthetic graphite capabilities is strategically sound. It allows them to cater to different market segments and potentially optimize their product mix based on market demands and production costs.

The company's circular economy strategy, including a recycling facility, is forward-thinking. As the EV market matures, battery recycling will become increasingly important for both environmental and economic reasons. This could provide Graphite One with a competitive edge and additional revenue streams in the future.

However, investors should be aware that producing high-quality synthetic graphite at scale is a complex process. Graphite One will need to demonstrate its technological capabilities and consistently meet the stringent quality requirements of EV manufacturers. The company's ability to scale up production while maintaining quality will be important for its success in this highly competitive market.

Graphite One-Lucid agreement involves Synthetic Anode Active Materials

Graphite One CEO Anthony Huston: This is "a historic moment…: The first synthetic graphite agreement between a U.S. graphite developer and a U.S. EV company"

Lucid CEO Peter Rawlinson: "We are committed to accelerating the transition to sustainable vehicles and the development of a robust domestic supply chain ensures the United States, and Lucid, will maintain technology leadership in this global race"

VANCOUVER, BC, July 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Graphite One Inc. (TSXV: GPH) (OTCQX: GPHOF) ("Graphite One", "G1" or the "Company"), planning a complete domestic U.S. supply chain for advanced graphite materials, announced today that it has entered into a non-binding supply agreement (the "Supply Agreement") with Lucid Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: LCID) ("Lucid"), maker of the world's most advanced electric vehicles, for anode active materials ("AAM").

"We are committed to accelerating the transition to sustainable vehicles and the development of a robust domestic supply chain ensures the United States, and Lucid, will maintain technology leadership in this global race," said Peter Rawlinson, CEO and CTO at Lucid. "Through work with partners like Graphite One, we will have access to American-sourced critical raw materials, helping power our award-winning vehicles made with pride in Arizona."

"This is a historic moment for Graphite One, Lucid and North America: the first synthetic graphite Supply Agreement between a U.S. graphite developer and U.S. EV company," said Anthony Huston, President and CEO of Graphite One. "G1 is excited to continue pushing forward developing our 100% U.S. domestic supply chain. We appreciate the support from our investors and the grant from the Department of Defense. Subject to project financing required to build the AAM facility, the Supply Agreement with Lucid puts G1 on the path to produce revenue in 2027, and that's just the beginning for Graphite One as work to meet market demands and create a secure 100% U.S.-based supply chain for natural and synthetic graphite for U.S. industry and national security."

The Supply Agreement follows Graphite One's selection in March of this year of a site for the Company's proposed AAM facility. The location, a brownfield site in Warren, Ohio previously used for storage of National Defense Stockpile critical minerals by the U.S. Government, is located in the heart of the automobile industry, in an area with ample low-cost electricity produced from renewable energy sources. The site's existing power lines are sufficient for Graphite One's Phase 1 production target of 25,000 tonnes per year ("tpy") of battery-ready anode material, and land is available for follow-on phases to ramp to 100,000 tpy of production.

Lucid is a California-based technology company focused on creating the most advanced EVs in the world. The company's flagship vehicle, Lucid Air, delivers best-in-class performance and efficiency starting at $69,900 and has been recognized with a number of leading awards, including MotorTrend 2022 Car of the Year, World Luxury Car of the Year, and Car and Driver 10 Best. Lucid is preparing its state-of-the-art, vertically integrated factory in Arizona to begin production of the Lucid Gravity SUV.

Terms of the Supply Agreement

The Supply Agreement is non-binding providing for 5,000 tpa once Graphite One commences production of synthetic graphite. The initial term is for 5 years, subject to earlier termination. Sales are based on an agreed price formula linked to future market pricing as well as satisfying base case pricing agreeable to both parties. The Supply Agreement is subject to other terms, conditions and termination rights standard for an agreement of this nature.

Graphite One's Domestic Supply Chain Strategy

With the United States currently 100 percent import dependent for synthetic and natural graphite, Graphite One is developing a complete U.S.-based, advanced graphite supply chain solution anchored by the Graphite Creek deposit, recognized by the US Geological Survey as the largest graphite deposit in the U.S. "and among the largest in the world." The Graphite One Project plan includes building an advanced graphite material and battery anode material manufacturing plant located in Warren, Ohio. The plan also includes a recycling facility to reclaim graphite and the other battery materials, to be co-located at the Ohio site, the third link in Graphite One's circular economy strategy.

About Graphite One Inc.

GRAPHITE ONE INC. continues to develop its Graphite One Project (the "Project") to become an American producer of high-grade anode materials that is integrated with a domestic graphite resource. The Project is proposed as a vertically integrated enterprise to mine, process and manufacture anode active materials primarily for the lithium‐ion electric vehicle battery market. As set forth in the Company's 2022 Pre-Feasibility Study, graphite mineralization mined from the Company's Graphite Creek Property, situated on the Seward Peninsula about 60 kilometers north of Nome, Alaska, would be processed into concentrate at an adjacent processing plant. Natural and artificial graphite anode active materials and other value‐added graphite products would be manufactured from the concentrate and other materials at the Company's proposed advanced graphite materials manufacturing facility located in northeastern Ohio. The Company intends to make a production decision on the Project upon the completion of a Feasibility Study.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

"Anthony Huston" (signed)

On Twitter @GraphiteOne

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, including those related to entering into binding arrangements between Lucid and Graphite One, the anticipated benefits of the relationship between Lucid and Graphite One., timing and completion of the anticipated Feasibility Study, future production, establishment of a processing plant and a graphite manufacturing plant, completion of project financing, establishment of a battery materials recycling facility, and events or developments that the Company intends, expects, plans, or proposes are forward-looking statements. Generally, forward‐looking information can be identified by the use of forward‐looking terminology such as "proposes", "expects", "is expected", "scheduled", "estimates", "projects", "plans", "is planning", "intends", "assumes", "believes", "indicates", "to be" or variations of such words and phrases that state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". The Company cautions that there is no certainty that the Company will enter into a definitive agreement with Lucid. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, continuity of mineralization, uncertainties related to the ability to obtain necessary permits, licenses and title and delays due to third party opposition, changes in government policies regarding mining and natural resource exploration and exploitation, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is given as of the date it is expressed in this press release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking information, except as required by applicable securities laws. For more information on the Company, investors should review the Company's continuous disclosure filings that are available at www.sedarplus.ca.

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SOURCE Graphite One Inc.

FAQ

What is the significance of the Graphite One-Lucid supply agreement for LCID stock?

The agreement represents the first synthetic graphite supply deal between a U.S. graphite developer and a U.S. EV company, potentially securing a domestic supply chain for Lucid's (LCID) battery materials, which could positively impact the company's production capabilities and reduce reliance on imports.

How much synthetic graphite is Lucid (LCID) set to receive under the agreement?

The non-binding supply agreement provides for 5,000 tonnes per annum of synthetic graphite once Graphite One commences production.

When is Graphite One expected to start supplying synthetic graphite to Lucid (LCID)?

Graphite One aims to produce revenue by 2027, subject to project financing required to build the AAM facility. This suggests that supply to Lucid (LCID) could potentially begin around that time.

What is the duration of the supply agreement between Graphite One and Lucid (LCID)?

The initial term of the non-binding supply agreement is for 5 years, subject to earlier termination and other standard terms and conditions.