Vianode to build graphite factory in Ontario
The project is designed as a multi-phase investment worth several billion Canadian dollars, beginning with an initial investment of over 2 billion CAD – currently equivalent to around €1.2 billion. Over time, planned expansions are expected to raise total capacity to up to 150,000 tonnes per year, according to Vianode. Production is scheduled to start in 2028. The first phase will create around 300 jobs, increasing to as many as 1,000 later on.
The facility will be known as “Via Two”. The first large-scale factory, “Via One”, has been operating in Herøya, Norway, since 2024 – which the company describes as “the world’s most sustainable synthetic anode graphite plant”. However, Vianode has been producing the material since 2021, initially at its industrial pilot facility in Kristiansand.
In the field of electric mobility, the city of St. Thomas is primarily known for the PowerCo battery plant currently under construction. Only last week, groundwork began there for the first buildings. The Vianode plant is also to be located in Yarmouth Yards, “near the PowerCo’s battery plant,” according to reports by CTV News.
Vianode not relying solely on e-mobility customers
PowerCo, however, is unlikely to be the first customer for the new factory. In January 2025, Vianode signed a supply agreement with General Motors for high-performance anode graphite solutions. At that time, it was already stated that the material would be supplied “a large-scale Vianode plant in North America” – with production originally expected to begin in 2027. St. Thomas has now been confirmed as the location, even though operations will start a year later, in 2028.
For GM, this minor delay will unlikely pose a problem. The US carmaker recently scaled back its all-electric strategy and is once again focusing more on combustion and hybrid models. However, Vianode is not targeting only the electric vehicle sector as a potential customer base. “Synthetic graphite is essential not only for EV batteries, but also for semiconductors, grid-scale electrical storage, nuclear reactors, defence systems, and steel production. As demand accelerates globally, supply chain security is a pressing issue,” the company stated.
“North American supply chains are heavily reliant on graphite sourced from China for lithium-ion batteries, defence technologies, nuclear technology and more. A large-scale facility in Ontario delivering high-performance anode graphite solutions will provide Canada with domestic capacity that will make supply chains more resilient,” said Burkhard Straube, CEO of Vianode. “This scalable project is a key building block that aligns with recent shifts in trade policy and supports our ambition to be a leading and trusted supplier for G7 supply chains.”
The reasons why the Norwegians – like PowerCo – chose St. Thomas in Ontario are strikingly similar. “Ontario is home to major manufacturing hubs, with access to world-class infrastructure and a low-carbon electricity grid. The province has all the characteristics we are looking for,” said Emanuele Tricca, Managing Director of Vianode in Canada. “During our North American selection process, I have seen first-hand a strong shared commitment to closing the strategic gaps in the critical minerals supply chain and creating jobs that will strengthen Canada’s economic resilience.”
Support from both the federal government and the province of Ontario also appears to have influenced the decision. “Canada is proud to support Vianode in advancing critical mineral development that aligns with our national priorities and international commitments,” said Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Tim Hogdson. “Through the Critical Minerals Production Alliance, we are working with trusted partners to deploy sovereign tools, mobilize investments and financing, and secure offtake arrangements to accelerate the development of secure, resilient critical minerals supply chains. These minerals will power the clean energy transition, strengthen our defence and manufacturing capabilities, and position Canada as a trusted supplier to our allies.”
This article was first published by Sebastian Schaal for electrive’s German edition.
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