Key Highlights
- Graphite One received a final Ohio EPA air permit for its planned Phase 1 anode plant.
- The 10-year permit covers a 10,000-tonne-per-year facility in Conneaut, Ohio.
- The company is targeting first synthetic graphite anode material sales in Q4 2028.
- Export-Import Bank support includes a non-binding US$1.4 billion letter of interest amendment.
Graphite One Inc. (TSXV: GPH) (OTCQX: GPHOF) has received a final air permit from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency for Phase 1 of its planned active anode material facility in Conneaut, Ohio. The permit covers a proposed 10,000-tonne-per-year blending and coating plant that the company has estimated at an initial capital cost of US$80 million, subject to an update after final engineering.
The Air Pollution Permit-to-Install and Operate (Permit No. P0140891) was issued to Graphite One (Ohio) Inc. and is effective from October 27, 2026. The company said the permit is valid until October 27, 2036 and is renewable.
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The permit covers four emissions units: agglomeration (P001), carbonization (P002), feeding and blending (P901), and finishing and packaging (P902). Graphite One said the design includes thermal oxidizers intended for 98% control of volatile organic compounds and baghouses intended for 99% control of particulate matter.
Graphite One described the air permit as the key environmental permit needed to build and operate the Phase 1 plant, and said it concludes the Ohio EPA technical review that the company previously announced on July 16, 2026.
Timeline and financing items disclosed
Graphite One said first sales of synthetic graphite active anode material from the Phase 1 plant are targeted for Q4 2028, subject to a final investment decision, financing, and construction. The company said it expects to complete final engineering next, then pursue remaining building, construction, and operating permits from state and local agencies.
Under the air permit, Graphite One said construction must begin within 18 months of October 27, 2026, with one possible 12-month extension. The company also said it anticipates making a final investment decision by April 2027, seeking award of an engineering, procurement, and construction contract, and starting construction.
On financing, Graphite One said the Export-Import Bank of the United States has issued an amended, non-binding letter of interest of US$1.4 billion for the active anode material facility. The company said this letter of interest is one of two it has received from EXIM, bringing total EXIM letter-of-interest support to US$2.07 billion.
Graphite One also said it has provided samples to prospective US battery and energy storage system customers for testing and qualification.
In a broader project update, Graphite One said it is pursuing a vertically integrated graphite supply chain that includes the Graphite Creek deposit near Nome, Alaska, and the Ohio facility. The company said mine construction is targeted for 2028 and production for 2030, and that a US Army Corps of Engineers permit decision on Graphite Creek is targeted by September 30, 2027 under the federal FAST-41 timetable.
The original press release is available on stockhouse.com
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