Pentagon-backed US lithium battery facility targets 25,000 tons of anode material

Graphite One advances Ohio battery materials project with EPA review milestone, targeting 10,000–25,000 tonnes of annual synthetic anode production. Graphite One Inc. has cleared another permitting milestone for its planned Ohio battery materials facility, advancing a project designed to produce between 10,000 and 25,000 tonnes of synthetic anode active material (AAM) annually for the growing electric vehicle and energy storage markets. The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) has accepted the company’s air permit application as complete and initiated a technical review, representing an important step in the state’s permitting process. At the planned Conneaut facility, the company will manufacture synthetic AAM, a critical component used in lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles, grid-scale energy storage and other applications. Graphite One said the project is part of its strategy to establish the first fully integrated domestic U.S. graphite supply chain, with the Ohio facility able to move toward production independently of the planned Graphite Creek Project in Alaska, subject to permitting, regulatory clearances, and financing. Permitting milestone advances Ohio facility Graphite One Inc. announced that the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA) has accepted the company’s air permit application for its planned active anode materials (AAM) facility in Conneaut, Ohio, as complete and has begun the technical review process. The initial phase of the project will produce approximately 10,000 tonnes per year, with plans to expand capacity to 25,000 tonnes annually. Acceptance into technical review constitutes a key milestone in Ohio’s permitting process, confirming that the Ohio EPA has determined the application contains the information required to begin a detailed evaluation. “Acceptance into technical review reflects the quality of the work completed by G1’s engineering and permitting teams,” said Mike Schaffner, Chief Operating Officer. “We appreciate Ohio EPA’s review and remain focused on advancing the project efficiently toward construction.” The company said its non-linear development strategy allows the Ohio facility to move toward production independently of the planned Graphite Creek Project near Nome, Alaska, creating a faster path to revenue than traditional resource development projects. Together, the planned Ohio facility and the Graphite Creek project will establish the first fully integrated domestic U.S. graphite supply chain, spanning from mining graphite in Alaska to producing advanced battery materials in Ohio. The company said this vertically integrated strategy will strengthen U.S. manufacturing competitiveness, lessen reliance on foreign supply chains and improve long-term supply chain resilience. Subject to permitting, regulatory authorizations and financing, synthetic AAM production at the Ohio facility is expected to commence in the fourth quarter of 2027, with natural graphite production at Graphite Creek targeted for 2029. The company noted that this latest milestone follows a series of project advancements throughout 2026, as it continues engineering, permitting, procurement, financing and customer engagement activities. Building a domestic graphite supply chain “Today’s milestone is another demonstration of the disciplined execution of our strategy to build the first fully integrated domestic U.S. graphite supply chain,” concluded Anthony Huston, President and CEO, in a press release. “Every permitting, engineering, financing, and customer engagement milestone reduces execution risk and moves us closer to commercial production.” Alongside this permitting milestone, Graphite One is advancing its strategy to build what it describes as the first vertically integrated domestic U.S. graphite supply chain. The Canadian mining and materials company is developing the Graphite Creek project in Alaska alongside a synthetic graphite and anode materials manufacturing facility in Conneaut, Ohio, creating a domestic source of battery anode materials for electric vehicles and energy storage applications. The project has also been recognized as a High Priority Infrastructure Project under the federal FAST-41 permitting program and has received support from the U.S. Department of Defense, underscoring its role in strengthening the domestic supply of critical minerals. Recommended ArticlesGet the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.Originally from LA, Maria Mocerino has been published in Business Insider, The Irish Examiner, The Rogue Mag, Chacruna Institute for Psychedelic Plant Medicines, and now Interesting Engineering.