- Norwegian EV battery material specialists, Vianode, has opened a mass-scale synthetic graphite anode plant in the country, the first of its kind for the firm.
- Graphite is a key material in lithium-ion batteries, the battery type used in a significant proportion of new EVs, and in Vianode’s case, will help create a European value chain for EV batteries.
- Vianode’s key differentiator from the competition is the synthetic aspect, increasing sustainability of EV batteries compared to conventional graphite anodes.
Vianode opens new Norwegian facility
Once up to full capacity, this plant will be able to produce 2,000 tonnes worth of synthetic graphite anode, annually. This equates to the supply of around 30,000 lithium-ion EV batteries, that would require the material – highlighting the significant part this new facility will play in Europe’s EV journey.
This synthetic graphite is produced through ‘high-temperature production processes’, as opposed to conventional graphite anodes made from mining of carbon-rich rock formations. Vianode says that its synthetic graphite anode carrys a CO2 footprint 90% lower than conventional graphite, helping to boost the sustainability of EVs further. From 2027, all EVs sold in the European Union will require a battery passport, that carries important information on the sustainability of a battery in production, and its future recyclability. Adopting synthetic materials, such as the solution from Vianode, will be key for manufacturers to score well on these passports.
Vianode’s CEO, Burkhard Straube, commented:
“This opening is a major milestone in Vianode’s strategy for building a low-emission value chain for batteries in Europe and North America. Vianode aims to enable a decarbonized battery and EV industry by creating more sustainable anode graphite that improves the properties of batteries and EVs, including faster charging, increased range, and longer service life. It is also a significant step towards strengthening European production of critical materials for electrification”.
