Vianode invests US$194M in battery anode graphite plant in Norway

Vianode, an organization owned by Elkem, Hydro and Altor, has determined to make investments in its first industrial scale plant for sustainable battery supplies at Herøya in Norway. The funding of round NOK 2 billion (US$194 million) will create new industrial jobs and supply important battery supplies. The choice is a crucial step in the direction of establishing an entire battery worth chain in Norway for the European market.

Plant idea. Supply: Vianode

The economic plant at Herøya, Norway, will produce anode graphite for about 20,000 electrical autos (EVs) per yr by 2024. The funding is the primary section in a bigger funding plan. The plant development will likely be carried out in parallel with preparations for a second section plant scaled to supply battery supplies to 2 million EVs per yr by 2030, overlaying a big share of the worldwide EV market.

The graphite supplies from Vianode are produced with as much as 90% decrease CO₂ emissions than immediately’s normal supplies. The supplies have distinctive efficiency traits and enhance the properties in batteries, together with quicker charging, elevated vary and longer service life, in addition to elevated security and recyclability.

Vianode has developed a spread of artificial graphite merchandise with distinctive efficiency traits that may be adjusted to fulfill particular buyer necessities. Supply: Vianode

At the moment, an EV incorporates on common as much as 70 kg of graphite supplies, representing an important part of the battery. Vianode’s merchandise are developed based mostly on specialised understand how in high-temperature processes, closed manufacturing programs, decrease power consumption and entry to renewable power. This makes Vianode an vital contributor to the European provide of important supplies wanted for the power transition.

Vianode has operated an industrial pilot in Kristiansand, Norway since April 2021, and has ambitions to ascertain industrial management in superior battery supplies in Europe and for the worldwide market.

Based in 2021, Vianode has round 60 workers at present. The funding determination signifies that the corporate will likely be recruiting roughly 100 new hires, bringing the entire to round 160 by the top of 2023. With a possible funding determination for a second section plant, this may double to 300 workers by the top of 2026. Together with ripple results, this implies round 1,000 jobs in whole.