Graphite One has awarded an engineering contract for its planned active anode materials (AAM) manufacturing facility in Conneaut, Ohio, advancing the project into the detailed execution phase.
The company said the contract award follows continued development activities at the Ohio site and represents another step in its strategy to establish a domestic graphite supply chain in the United States.
Phased Development Strategy
Graphite One plans to develop the facility in multiple stages, beginning with production capacity of approximately 10,000 tonnes per year of active anode materials used in lithium-ion batteries.
The company aims to expand the site to include 25,000 tonnes per year of synthetic graphite and graphitization capacity by the fourth quarter of 2028.
Commercial operations for the initial AAM phase are expected to begin in late 2027, while synthetic graphite production is scheduled to follow roughly one year later.
Strategic Location in Ohio
The Conneaut site was secured in May 2026 through an agreement with a subsidiary of CN Railway.
According to Graphite One, the property offers access to rail transportation networks, Great Lakes shipping routes and existing high-capacity electrical infrastructure.
The company has completed geotechnical drilling at the site and is continuing environmental assessment and permitting activities.
Environmental reviews and permitting work are expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2027.
Supporting Domestic Battery Material Supply
The Ohio facility is a key component of Graphite One’s broader plan to establish an integrated domestic graphite supply chain spanning mining, processing and battery material production.
The project is intended to support growing demand for graphite-based materials used in lithium-ion batteries and other advanced technology applications.
Development remains subject to final permitting approvals, financing arrangements, lease agreements and regulatory requirements.
Employment and Economic Impact
Graphite One expects the initial phase of the facility to create between 30 and 40 permanent jobs.
A planned expansion phase could add up to 120 additional positions as production capacity increases.
Integrated Supply Chain Plans
Alongside the Ohio facility, Graphite One continues to advance development of its Graphite Creek deposit in Alaska, which is intended to serve as a domestic source of graphite feedstock.
The company is also progressing federal permitting activities through the FAST-41 infrastructure programme.
“The execution of this engineering contract and the advancement of our Conneaut site represent important steps in building what we believe can become one of North America’s leading domestic sources of synthetic graphite AAM,” said Anthony Huston, President and Chief Executive Officer of Graphite One.
“With site secured, critical infrastructure advantages in place, engineering activities under way and a clear phased development strategy, we now have a defined, de-risked path toward establishing 25,000tpa of synthetic graphite capacity by the end of 2028.”
The project comes amid increasing efforts across North America to develop local supply chains for critical battery materials as demand from electric vehicle and energy storage markets continues to grow.
Source: MiningMagz