Just last week, GM Authority covered the news that GM had signed a new multi-billion dollar deal with Vianode, a Norwegian synthetic graphite producer, to provide The General with materials for EV battery production. The deal is part of General Motors’ broader efforts to build out a North American EV supply chain. Now, it looks as though Vianode has selected Canada as the location to construct a new large-scale plant to produce the EV battery materials. The new plant is expected to launch operations in 2027.
Per a report from Automotive News, the Norwegian supplier has yet to officially announce that it has selected Canada as the location for its new North American EV battery material plant. Nevertheless, there are several factors which indicate that Canada is indeed the location, including job postings in Toronto and the creation of a Canadian Vianode subsidiary in 2024. Additionally, Vianode is seeking government grants for critical mineral production to support the project.
Meanwhile, the recent EV battery material supplier agreement between GM and Vianode is expected to run between 2027 and 2033. The material produced at the new graphite facility will be used for EV battery production under Ultium Cells, GM’s joint venture with LG Energy Solution, thus reducing GM’s reliance on foreign suppliers.
The first phase for the new Vianode facility will include the production of 75,000 metric tons (or 82,673 tons) of synthetic graphite annually, with plans to expand capacity to 150,000 metric tons (165,347 tons). The price of the new North American plant is estimated in the billions, although specific figures remain under wraps. Vianode established its first full-scale production facility in Norway in 2024, which cost $250 million and has an annual capacity of 2,000 metric tons (2,204 tons).
Vianode CEO Burkhard Straube characterized the GM supply agreement and upcoming North American production plant as key factors in establishing the North American EV supply chain. However, it remains uncertain how the incoming Trump presidency may affect automakers with regard to EVs and imports from Canada and Mexico.
Comments
This is what is wrong. Why pick Canada, not the USA. Trump please help.
Most likely governmental consistency and predicatability. Why would they risk such a huge investment here when the governmental decisions will likely be abitrary and capricious?
Agreed! Every four years the new president’s first priority is to cancel whatever his predecessor implemented.
And why is it wrong? We don’t have the god given right to get everything for ourselves. If that company chose Canada, they have their reasons. It’s called competition. We are not the center of the universe.