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St. Thomas has landed a $2-billion manufacturing investment that will create 300 jobs and supply the region’s growing electric vehicle supply base.
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Vianode, a Norwegian industry that makes artificial graphite, critical in the production of electric vehicles (EV) and batteries, has already begun work on a plant slated to open in 2028, said Sean Dyke, chief executive of the St. Thomas Economic Development Corporation.
But in a twist, Vianode has a deal to supply GM in the U.S., and not PowerCo, the Volkswagen-owned EV battery plant now under construction in St. Thomas, he added.
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“It’s amazing, this is the exact business we want here. This has been a long time coming,” Dyke said, adding Vianode reached out about one year ago and his office has been working steadily on the file.
“The work they do is impressive.”
St. Thomas Mayor Joe Preston said in a statement that his city is becoming a leader “in the North American EV supply chain” – the latest chapter in its automotive history. “Vianode’s decision to invest here is a testament to our city’s talent, innovation, and commitment to a sustainable future.”
In a statement, officials with Vianode said they chose St. Thomas as the manufacturer’s first home in North America because the community offers “everything” the company needs including “a pool of skilled talent, world-class infrastructure and a low-carbon electricity grid.”
Said Burkhard Straube, the company’s chief executive: “As St. Thomas grows as a hub for green mobility, we’re excited to help shape its future and become an integral part of the community.”
Vianode announced a “multi-billion” dollar deal in January to supply GM’s Ultium battery production, but few details were revealed at the time. The St. Thomas plant will supply GM.
Dyke travelled to Norway in the spring to see Vianode facilities there, he said. “Synthetic graphite is a key material for EV manufacturing, for battery production. Having a local supplier could be huge.”
The plant will be located on 140 acres (56 ha) in Yarmouth Yards, the name the city has given the 1,500-acre (600 ha) industrial park where PowerCo is also located. The plant site, near Ron McNeil Line and Yarmouth Centre Road, is now being prepared for construction. 
After PowerCo and Vianode open, there will be 800 acres (320 ha) remaining on the site for future industry and more activity is expected, Dyke said.
“There has been a lot of interest in the site from (possible) PowerCo suppliers,” Dyke said. “It’s exciting.”
Vianode has already opened an office on Talbot Street and some staff are now on site, Dyke said.
PowerCo now has a graphite supplier, announcing about one year ago that Novonix, headquartered in Australia, will supply the Volkswagen-owned EV battery maker with graphite, but Dyke believes PowerCo will require even more graphite, he said.
The new large-scale production facility will be for “low-emission synthetic anode graphite,” officials with Vianode said in a statement.
Synthetic graphite is a key component in lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles and other industrial and defence applications. Once fully operational, the plant is expected to produce up to 150,000 tons of synthetic graphite per year. 
Emanuele Tricca is Vianode’s managing director in Canada. In a statement, Tricca said: “Canada and Vianode are a perfect match. Ontario is home to major manufacturing hubs, with access to world-class infrastructure and a low-carbon electricity grid. The province has all the characteristics we are looking for.
“During our North American selection process, I have seen first-hand a strong shared commitment to closing the strategic gaps in the critical minerals supply chain and creating jobs that will strengthen Canada’s economic resilience.”
Vianode’s production process is designed to be environmentally responsible, generating up to 90 per cent lower carbon emissions than traditional graphite manufacturing.   
Vianode was established in Norway in 2021.
ndebono@postmedia.com
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