Northern Graphite Proposal for Battery Anode Material Plant in France Wins EU Strategic Project Status
Northern Graphite (NGPHF) has achieved a significant milestone as its Battery Anode Material (BAM) plant proposal in France has been selected as one of 47 Strategic Projects under the EU's Critical Raw Materials Act. The project, requiring €159 million (CAD $244M) in funding, will process graphite from the company's Okanjande project in Namibia.
The facility is planned to begin operations by 2028 with an initial capacity of 20,000 tonnes per year of battery-grade anode material, scalable to 50,000 tonnes. The Strategic Project designation provides fast-tracked permitting, enhanced financing access, and support for potential off-take agreements. The project involves pre-purification and shaping in Namibia, with purification and coating in France, while battery testing will occur at NGCBM's German laboratory.
Northern Graphite (NGPHF) ha raggiunto un traguardo significativo poiché la proposta per il suo impianto di Materiale per Anodi di Batteria (BAM) in Francia è stata selezionata come uno dei 47 Progetti Strategici ai sensi della Legge dell'UE sui Materiali Rari Critici. Il progetto, che richiede un finanziamento di €159 milioni (CAD $244M), processerà grafite dal progetto Okanjande dell'azienda in Namibia.
Si prevede che l'impianto inizi le operazioni entro il 2028 con una capacità iniziale di 20.000 tonnellate all'anno di materiale per anodi di qualità per batterie, scalabile fino a 50.000 tonnellate. La designazione di Progetto Strategico offre un'accelerazione nelle autorizzazioni, un accesso migliorato al finanziamento e supporto per potenziali accordi di acquisto. Il progetto prevede la pre-purificazione e la modellatura in Namibia, con purificazione e rivestimento in Francia, mentre i test delle batterie si svolgeranno nel laboratorio tedesco di NGCBM.
Northern Graphite (NGPHF) ha alcanzado un hito significativo ya que su propuesta de planta de Material de Ánodo para Baterías (BAM) en Francia ha sido seleccionada como uno de los 47 Proyectos Estratégicos bajo la Ley de la UE sobre Materias Primas Críticas. El proyecto, que requiere €159 millones (CAD $244M) en financiamiento, procesará grafito del proyecto Okanjande de la empresa en Namibia.
Se planea que la instalación comience operaciones para 2028 con una capacidad inicial de 20,000 toneladas por año de material de ánodo de grado para baterías, escalable a 50,000 toneladas. La designación de Proyecto Estratégico proporciona permisos acelerados, acceso mejorado a financiamiento y apoyo para posibles acuerdos de compra. El proyecto implica pre-purificación y modelado en Namibia, con purificación y recubrimiento en Francia, mientras que las pruebas de baterías se realizarán en el laboratorio alemán de NGCBM.
노던 그래파이트(NGPHF)는 프랑스에 있는 배터리 음극재(BAM) 공장 제안이 EU의 중요 원자재법에 따라 47개 전략 프로젝트 중 하나로 선정되면서 중요한 이정표를 달성했습니다. 이 프로젝트는 1억 5900만 유로(244백만 캐나다 달러)의 자금이 필요하며, 나미비아의 오칸잔데 프로젝트에서 그래파이트를 가공할 예정입니다.
이 시설은 2028년까지 운영을 시작할 계획이며, 초기 용량은 연간 20,000톤의 배터리 등급 음극재로, 최대 50,000톤까지 확장할 수 있습니다. 전략 프로젝트 지정은 신속한 허가, 향상된 자금 접근 및 잠재적 구매 계약에 대한 지원을 제공합니다. 이 프로젝트는 나미비아에서의 전처리 및 형성, 프랑스에서의 정제 및 코팅을 포함하며, 배터리 테스트는 NGCBM의 독일 실험실에서 진행될 예정입니다.
Northern Graphite (NGPHF) a atteint une étape significative, car sa proposition d'usine de Matériau d'Anode de Batterie (BAM) en France a été sélectionnée comme l'un des 47 Projets Stratégiques dans le cadre de la Loi de l'UE sur les Matières Premières Critiques. Le projet, nécessitant un financement de 159 millions d'euros (244 millions de dollars canadiens), traitera le graphite du projet Okanjande de l'entreprise en Namibie.
L'installation devrait commencer ses opérations d'ici 2028 avec une capacité initiale de 20 000 tonnes par an de matériau d'anode de qualité pour batteries, évolutive jusqu'à 50 000 tonnes. La désignation de Projet Stratégique permet des autorisations accélérées, un accès amélioré au financement et un soutien pour d'éventuels accords d'achat. Le projet implique une prépurification et un façonnage en Namibie, avec purification et revêtement en France, tandis que les tests de batteries auront lieu dans le laboratoire allemand de NGCBM.
Northern Graphite (NGPHF) hat einen bedeutenden Meilenstein erreicht, da der Vorschlag für sein Werk zur Herstellung von Batteriekathodenmaterial (BAM) in Frankreich als eines von 47 strategischen Projekten im Rahmen des EU-Gesetzes über kritische Rohstoffe ausgewählt wurde. Das Projekt, das 159 Millionen Euro (244 Millionen CAD) an Finanzierung benötigt, wird Graphit aus dem Okanjande-Projekt des Unternehmens in Namibia verarbeiten.
Die Anlage soll bis 2028 in Betrieb genommen werden und eine anfängliche Kapazität von 20.000 Tonnen pro Jahr an batterietauglichem Kathodenmaterial haben, die auf 50.000 Tonnen skalierbar ist. Die Auszeichnung als strategisches Projekt ermöglicht eine beschleunigte Genehmigung, verbesserten Zugang zu Finanzierungen und Unterstützung für potenzielle Abnahmeverträge. Das Projekt umfasst die Vorreinigung und Formgebung in Namibia, während die Reinigung und Beschichtung in Frankreich erfolgt, während die Batterietests im deutschen Labor von NGCBM stattfinden werden.
- EU Strategic Project status enhances project credibility and financing access
- Vertical integration from Namibia to France strengthens supply chain control
- Initial 20,000 tonnes BAM capacity scalable to 50,000 tonnes
- Okanjande mine restart possible within 18-24 months of investment decision
- Active discussions ongoing with potential off-take partners
- Significant funding requirement of €159M still needed
- Production not starting until 2028
- Okanjande mine currently on care and maintenance pending financing
- Complex multi-continental operation spanning Namibia, France, and Germany
- Strategic Project designation will streamline regulatory approvals, improve access to public and private financing and support potential off-take agreements
- Northern's project will require €159 million (CAD
$244M ) in funding with initial BAM production targeted for 2028 - Project will use graphite from Northern's Okanjande project in Namibia and will diversify and broaden the Company's geographic base
Ottawa, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2025) - Northern Graphite Corporation (TSXV: NGC) (OTCQB: NGPHF) (FSE: 0NG) (XSTU: 0NG) ("Northern" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that its proposal to upgrade graphite from its Okanjande project in Namibia into Battery Anode Material ("BAM") in France has been selected as one of 47 Strategic Projects under the European Union's Critical Raw Materials Act ("CRMA").
The designation by the European Commission, the EU's executive body, qualifies Northern's project for fast-tracked permitting and funding support in order to boost Europe's strategic raw material capacities and diversify its sources of supply. The Strategic Projects cover 14 of the 17 strategic raw materials listed in the CRMA, including lithium (22 projects), nickel (12 projects), cobalt (10 projects), manganese (7 projects) and graphite (11 projects) which will particularly benefit the EU battery raw material value chain.
Northern's Frankfurt-based Battery Materials Division ("NGCBM") submitted the proposal last year to take battery grade graphite from its Okanjande project in Namibia and upgrade it into Battery Anode Material in a facility in France at a cost of some €159 million (CAD
Northern's France BAM project is targeted to begin operations by 2028 with an initial capacity of 20,000 tonnes per year of battery-grade anode material, with the potential to scale up to 50,000 tonnes. Northern is currently in active discussions with potential off-take partners for the initial production.
Figure 1: Project Scope
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"This is big news for our Company, providing us with portfolio diversification to complement our Canadian operations and plans to supply North American markets," said Northern Chief Executive Office Hugues Jacquemin. "This recognition provides us with critical tools and support necessary to pursue development and execution of the project. It immediately enhances its credibility and visibility, helps to accelerate timelines, facilitates faster permitting and improves access to financing while ensuring compliance with the highest environmental and social standards."
Critical Raw Materials Act
The CRMA Strategic Projects framework is designed to help the EU meet self-sufficiency targets of
The Critical Raw Materials Act came into force in May 2024. It identified a list of raw materials considered strategic due to their likelihood of representing supply risks in the near future amid projected demand growth and the difficulties of scaling up production. The list includes raw materials used in strategic sectors such as renewable energy, digital, aerospace and defence technologies.
Next steps include discussions with the financing sub-group of the Critical Raw Materials Board on how each Strategic Project can be financially supported, considering both private and public sources of funding. The sub-group brings together relevant national promotional banks, the European Investment Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and private financial institutions, among others.
Northern's proposed BAM facility in France will supply Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), including battery cell producers, with a critical component of lithium-ion batteries. Graphite in the form of battery anode material represents the largest component by weight in these batteries, with each electric vehicle requiring approximately 40 to 80 kilograms. According to Fastmarkets, annual global demand for BAM is expected to exceed 500,000 tonnes by 2030, driven by EV production across the EU and beyond.
"Northern's project is strategically positioned to meet the EU's urgent demand for a sustainable and reliable supply of Battery Anode Material," said Michael Grimm, President of Northern's Battery Materials Group. "By integrating production across two continents, we're building a resilient supply chain that aligns with Europe's decarbonization goals while offering OEMs a transparent, traceable source of high-quality anode material."
The French BAM facility will be supplied with graphite concentrate from Northern's Okanjande graphite mine in Namibia, which is currently on care and maintenance pending financing to restart operations. The mine contains high-quality graphite suitable for conversion into battery-grade material and can be brought back online within 18- to 24 months of a final investment decision. Once operational, Okanjande will have an initial capacity to produce 31,000 tonnes of concentrate annually.
Heightened geopolitical tensions are underscoring the fragile nature of global supply chains for many critical minerals and graphite is no exception. By developing vertically integrated production from Namibia to France, Northern is helping the EU to establish a secure critical minerals supply chain.
"This is an important milestone for Northern," said CEO Hugues Jacquemin. "Strategic Project status provides the tools and support we need to accelerate development, secure long-term financing and customers, and ensure our facility meets the highest environmental and social standards."
Questions and Answers on the Strategic Projects under the Critical Raw Materials Act
About Northern Graphite
Northern, the only flake graphite producing company in North America, is a Canadian, TSX Venture Exchange listed company that is focused on becoming a world leader in producing natural graphite and upgrading it into high-value products critical to the green economy, including anode material for lithium-ion batteries/EVs, fuel cells and graphene, as well as advanced industrial technologies. The Company's mine-to-battery strategy is spearheaded by its Battery Materials Division, which has a fully equipped, state-of-the-art laboratory in Frankfurt. The Division is focused on developing advanced anode materials to improve the cycle life and increase the charging rate of lithium ion batteries and on marketing Northern's patented Porocarb® product. Porocarb® is a carbon based material that enhances the performance of both solid state and lithium-ion batteries and is currently being evaluated by leading global battery manufacturers with very positive results.
Northern's graphite assets include the producing Lac des Iles mine in Quebec where the Company plans to increase production to meet growing demand from industrial customers and coming demand from North American battery makers. The Company also owns the large-scale, advanced stage Bissett Creek project in Ontario, the Mousseau Project in Quebec and the fully permitted Okanjande graphite mine in Namibia. Okanjande is currently on care and maintenance and represents an opportunity to substantially increase graphite production at a lower cost and with a shorter time to market than most competing projects. All projects have "battery quality" graphite and are located close to infrastructure in politically stable jurisdictions.
For media inquiries contact
Pav Jordan, VP of Communications
Email: pjordan@northerngraphite.com
For additional information
Please visit the Company's website at https://www.northerngraphite.com/home/, the Company's profile on www.sedarplus.ca our Social Channels listed below or contact the Company at (613) 271-2124.
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Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "potential", "possible" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may", "will", "could", or "should" occur. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements regarding, among others, the Company's proposal to produce and sell BAM and development plans with respect to the LDI, Okanjande and Bissett Creek projects. All such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and analyses made by management based on their experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors they believe are appropriate in the circumstances. However, these statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected including, but not limited to, unexpected changes in laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; the failure of other parties to perform as agreed; social or labour unrest; changes in commodity prices; unexpected failure or inadequacy of infrastructure and the failure of ongoing and contemplated studies to deliver anticipated results or results that would justify and support continued studies, development or operations and the inability to raise required financing. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information or statements.
Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based on what management believes are reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with them. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Subject to applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this news release.
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 news release.
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FAQ
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