General Motors signed a multibillion-dollar deal with Norway’s Vianode for the delivery of a material critical for electric-vehicle batteries, the companies said Wednesday.
Vianode will supply synthetic anode graphite that will be used in next-generation EV batteries produced by Ultium Cells, GM’s battery joint venture with LG Energy Solution.
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“This project will help advance our battery technology and drive greater value to our customers,” said Jeff Morrison, GM’s senior vice president of global purchasing and supply chain.
The Norwegian company will build production facilities in North America and be ready to start shipping the material from 2027, with the deal running through 2033. The companies didn’t provide further financial details.
Anode graphite is the largest component of a lithium-ion battery by weight, playing a crucial role that allows high conductivity, performance and charge capacity. China is the world’s biggest graphite producer, with large natural reserves, synthetic production and refining capacity, but the country recently tightened export restrictions of the material amid a technology trade spat with the U.S.
“Our recent creation of Vianode North America and this agreement to supply GM’s North American EV business, are key building blocks for a local, resilient supply chain for critical battery materials outside of Asia,” Vianode Chief Executive Burkhard Straube said in a statement.
Vianode already has a plant in Heroya, Norway, which started production in the second half of 2024. The company said its synthetic anode graphite has a 90% lower carbon-dioxide footprint than conventional production methods.
Write to Dominic Chopping at dominic.chopping@wsj.com
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