Focus Graphite Advanced Materials Commences Work Program with AETC for C4V Digital DNA(TM) Testing and Strategic Specialty Applications
Focus Graphite Advanced Materials (FCSMF) has initiated an advanced material testing program with Advanced Energy Technologies Corp. (AETC) to qualify materials for Charge CCCV's (C4V) Digital DNA™ platform. The program aims to fast-track premium-quality samples, including proprietary silicon-enhanced spheroidized graphite from the Lac Knife project in Québec.
The collaboration follows a March 2024 strategic testing partnership with C4V, targeting validation for battery energy storage systems, gigafactory supply chains, and defense-related applications. Notably, natural graphite has been exempted from President Trump's recent 'Liberation Day' U.S. tariffs, highlighting its critical status for national security and clean energy objectives.
The initiative gains urgency amid U.S.-China tensions and China's graphite export restrictions since October 2024. With the U.S. currently 100% dependent on foreign graphite imports, primarily from China, Focus positions itself as a potential solution for secure, domestic graphite supply in North America.
Focus Graphite Advanced Materials (FCSMF) ha avviato un programma di test di materiali avanzati con Advanced Energy Technologies Corp. (AETC) per qualificare materiali per la piattaforma Digital DNA™ di Charge CCCV (C4V). Il programma mira ad accelerare la produzione di campioni di alta qualità, inclusi grafite sferoidale migliorata con silicio, proprietaria del progetto Lac Knife in Québec.
Questa collaborazione segue un partenariato strategico per test nel marzo 2024 con C4V, mirato alla convalida per sistemi di stoccaggio energetico delle batterie, catene di fornitura per gigafactory e applicazioni legate alla difesa. È importante notare che la grafite naturale è stata esentata dai recenti dazi 'Giorno di Liberazione' degli Stati Uniti, evidenziando il suo status critico per la sicurezza nazionale e gli obiettivi di energia pulita.
L'iniziativa acquisisce urgenza nel contesto delle tensioni tra Stati Uniti e Cina e delle restrizioni all'esportazione di grafite da parte della Cina a partire da ottobre 2024. Con gli Stati Uniti attualmente dipendenti al 100% dalle importazioni di grafite estera, principalmente dalla Cina, Focus si posiziona come una potenziale soluzione per una fornitura sicura e domestica di grafite in Nord America.
Focus Graphite Advanced Materials (FCSMF) ha iniciado un programa de pruebas de materiales avanzados con Advanced Energy Technologies Corp. (AETC) para calificar materiales para la plataforma Digital DNA™ de Charge CCCV (C4V). El programa tiene como objetivo acelerar la producción de muestras de alta calidad, incluyendo grafito esferoidal mejorado con silicio del proyecto Lac Knife en Quebec.
La colaboración sigue a una asociación estratégica de pruebas en marzo de 2024 con C4V, que busca la validación para sistemas de almacenamiento de energía de baterías, cadenas de suministro de gigafábricas y aplicaciones relacionadas con la defensa. Es notable que el grafito natural ha sido exento de los recientes aranceles de 'Día de Liberación' del presidente Trump, destacando su estatus crítico para la seguridad nacional y los objetivos de energía limpia.
La iniciativa cobra urgencia en medio de las tensiones entre Estados Unidos y China y las restricciones a la exportación de grafito de China desde octubre de 2024. Con Estados Unidos actualmente 100% dependiente de las importaciones de grafito extranjero, principalmente de China, Focus se posiciona como una solución potencial para un suministro seguro y doméstico de grafito en América del Norte.
포커스 그래파이트 어드밴스드 머티리얼스 (FCSMF)는 Charge CCCV의 Digital DNA™ 플랫폼에 대한 재료를 인증하기 위해 Advanced Energy Technologies Corp. (AETC)와 함께 고급 재료 테스트 프로그램을 시작했습니다. 이 프로그램은 퀘벡의 Lac Knife 프로젝트에서 특허받은 실리콘 강화 구형 그래파이트를 포함하여 프리미엄 품질 샘플을 신속하게 생산하는 것을 목표로 합니다.
이 협력은 2024년 3월 C4V와의 전략적 테스트 파트너십에 이어 진행되며, 배터리 에너지 저장 시스템, 기가팩토리 공급망 및 방위 관련 응용 프로그램의 검증을 목표로 합니다. 특히, 자연 그래파이트는 트럼프 대통령의 최근 '해방의 날' 미국 관세에서 면제되어 국가 안보 및 청정 에너지 목표에 대한 중요성을 강조합니다.
이 이니셔티브는 미국과 중국 간의 긴장과 2024년 10월부터 시작된 중국의 그래파이트 수출 제한으로 인해 긴급성을 띠고 있습니다. 현재 미국은 주로 중국으로부터의 외국 그래파이트 수입에 100% 의존하고 있으며, 포커스는 북미에서 안전하고 국내 그래파이트 공급을 위한 잠재적 해결책으로 자리잡고 있습니다.
Focus Graphite Advanced Materials (FCSMF) a lancé un programme de test de matériaux avancés avec Advanced Energy Technologies Corp. (AETC) pour qualifier des matériaux pour la plateforme Digital DNA™ de Charge CCCV (C4V). Le programme vise à accélérer la production d'échantillons de haute qualité, y compris du graphite sphéroïdal amélioré au silicium provenant du projet Lac Knife au Québec.
Cette collaboration fait suite à un partenariat stratégique de test avec C4V en mars 2024, visant à valider des systèmes de stockage d'énergie pour batteries, des chaînes d'approvisionnement de gigafactories et des applications liées à la défense. Il est à noter que le graphite naturel a été exempté des récents tarifs 'Jour de Libération' du président Trump, soulignant son statut critique pour la sécurité nationale et les objectifs d'énergie propre.
L'initiative prend de l'urgence dans le contexte des tensions entre les États-Unis et la Chine et des restrictions d'exportation de graphite de la Chine depuis octobre 2024. Avec les États-Unis actuellement dépendants à 100 % des importations de graphite étrangères, principalement en provenance de Chine, Focus se positionne comme une solution potentielle pour un approvisionnement en graphite sécurisé et domestique en Amérique du Nord.
Focus Graphite Advanced Materials (FCSMF) hat ein Programm zur Prüfung fortschrittlicher Materialien mit Advanced Energy Technologies Corp. (AETC) gestartet, um Materialien für die Digital DNA™-Plattform von Charge CCCV (C4V) zu qualifizieren. Ziel des Programms ist es, hochwertige Muster, einschließlich proprietärem, silikonverstärktem sphäroidisiertem Graphit aus dem Lac Knife-Projekt in Québec, schnell zu produzieren.
Die Zusammenarbeit folgt einer strategischen Testpartnerschaft mit C4V im März 2024, die auf die Validierung von Energiespeichersystemen für Batterien, Lieferketten für Gigafabriken und verteidigungsbezogene Anwendungen abzielt. Bemerkenswert ist, dass natürlicher Graphit von den jüngsten 'Befreiungstag'-Zöllen des Präsidenten Trump ausgenommen wurde, was seinen kritischen Status für die nationale Sicherheit und die Ziele der sauberen Energie hervorhebt.
Die Initiative gewinnt an Dringlichkeit angesichts der Spannungen zwischen den USA und China sowie der chinesischen Exportbeschränkungen für Graphit seit Oktober 2024. Da die USA derzeit zu 100 % von ausländischen Graphitimporten, hauptsächlich aus China, abhängig sind, positioniert sich Focus als potenzielle Lösung für eine sichere, inländische Graphitversorgung in Nordamerika.
- Strategic testing partnership with C4V for premium market applications
- Exemption from U.S. tariffs provides competitive advantage
- Strong market position due to China's export restrictions
- Advanced stage projects ready for commercialization
- Still in testing and qualification phase, no immediate revenue
- Pending mine permit completion for project
Exclusion of Canadian natural graphite from President Trump's "Liberation Day" U.S. Tariffs underscores urgency to fast-track testing and qualification with industry partners.
OTTAWA, ON / ACCESS Newswire / April 9, 2025 / Focus Graphite Advanced Materials Inc. (TSXV:FMS)(OTCQB:FCSMF)(FSE:FKC) ("Focus" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce the commencement of its advanced material preparation and testing program in collaboration with U.S.-based Advanced Energy Technologies Corp. ("AETC"), a leading processor of industrial graphite and carbon materials for the upstream and advanced downstream applications. This work is being undertaken to provide qualification materials to Charge CCCV ("C4V") of Binghamton, New York for qualification as part of C4V's proprietary Digital DNATM Rapid Access qualification platform, as well as to support various strategic and specialty industrial collaborations currently under prototype development and contracting with C4V's customer base.
The objective of this initiative is to fast-track the generation of premium-quality samples, including Focus's proprietary silicon-enhanced spheroidized graphite for anode active materials, from its Lac Knife project located in Québec, Canada. Pilot lots of qualification products will be delivered to C4V for detailed performance testing, evaluation and integration into form-factored batteries, following their approval for use. Focus previously announced the strategic testing collaboration with C4V in a press release dated March 5th, 2024, which highlighted the importance of the Digital DNATM platform, as well as the potential for Lac Knife material to be validated as a critical component for green utilities battery energy storage systems (BESS), gigafactory supply chains, and specialty and defense-related energy storage systems. The work program with AETC represents the next building block in that collaboration.
Focus welcomes the recent decision by the U.S. administration to exempt several critical minerals, including natural graphite, from the new "Liberation Day" tariffs announced by President Trump on April 2nd, 2025. Under Section 3(b) of the executive order, critical minerals deemed essential to national security and clean energy objectives - including natural graphite - have been granted full exemptions. The urgency to execute this qualification test work stems from growing geopolitical tensions and trade restrictions, particularly between the U.S. and China. Despite soaring demand, the U.S. remains
Jason Latkowcer, VP Corporate Development of Focus, commented, "We're aggressively executing our strategy to secure offtake partners and fast-track commercialization into advanced technology applications. This program is focused on qualifying our material for premium markets where demand is accelerating, and supply chains remain highly vulnerable. Critical minerals have become a key geopolitical lever, and graphite has been under Chinese export restrictions since October 2024."
Jeff York, Chairman of the Company, added, "Success happens when you solve a real problem. Right now, the U.S. and North America are in urgent need of secure, domestic sources of specialty graphite for national defense and the advanced materials supply chain. China is restricting exports of the type of graphite we have at Lac Knife, and the U.S. feels it. That's why natural flake graphite from Canada was left off the new tariffs. With two projects in hand and one in the final stages of the mine permit process, Focus is looking more and more like the near- and long-term solution."
About American Energy Technologies Company
American Energy Technologies Co. (AETC) is a woman-owned, privately held business concern which conducts operations out of the greater Chicago area. In its Arlington Heights, IL facility AETC operates three business units: a manufacturing plant making battery-ready graphite and carbons, a pilot demonstration facility for battery materials and graphite dispersions, and a fully- functional research and development laboratory supporting the above business units. Additionally, in late 2021, AETC acquired another plant site, known as "AETC- East", in Wheeling, IL. It is the only North American, end-to-end graphite processing site where AETC can take in graphite bearing rock as raw material and output battery-ready graphite, to serve a variety of market segments such as lithium-ion, metal air, lead-acid, alkaline, lithium primary batteries and electrochemical super capacitors. Currently, AETC is the only organization in North America capable of producing commercial quantities of spheroidized surface coated battery-ready graphite for lithium-ion battery anodes. It develops and operates unique refining, particle spheroidization, and carbon coating technologies. AETC is developing and produces spherical graphite (both natural and synthetic), expanded graphite, partially graphitized nanostructured carbons, ultra-high purity graphite-based electrically conductive inks, paints, and coatings which find use within the industry. AETC is a proud supply chain member of electric vehicles and an approved supplier to ten battery manufacturers and one fuel cell producer.
For more information on AETC please visit https://www.usaenergytech.com
About Charge CCCV
Charge CCCV (C4V) is a lithium-ion battery technology company specializing in battery performance optimization and gigafactory design. Based in Binghamton, New York, C4V collaborates with industry-leading raw material and equipment suppliers to bring to market fully optimized batteries with key economic advantages, providing best-in-class performance for various applications.
C4V has played a significant role in establishing Imperium3 New York (iM3NY), a consortium dedicated to building a lithium-ion battery gigafactory in Endicott, New York. This initiative has garnered substantial financial support, including a
For more information on C4V please visit https://www.chargecccv.com
About Focus Graphite Inc.
Focus Graphite Advanced Materials is redefining the future of critical minerals with two
Our Lac Tétépisca project further strengthens our portfolio, with the potential to be one of the largest and highest-purity and grade graphite deposits in North America.
At Focus, we go beyond mining - we are pioneering environmentally sustainable processing solutions and cutting-edge battery technologies, including our patent pending proprietary silicone-enhanced spheroidized graphite technology, designed to enhance battery performance and efficiency. Our commitment to innovation ensures a chemical-free, eco-friendly supply chain from mine to market.
Collaboration is at the core of our vision. We actively partner with industry leaders, research institutions, and government agencies to accelerate the commercialization of next-generation graphite materials. As a North American company, we are dedicated to securing a resilient, locally sourced supply of critical minerals - reducing dependence on foreign-controlled markets and driving the transition to a sustainable future.
For more information on Focus Graphite Inc. please visit http://www.focusgraphite.com
Investors Contact:
Dean Hanisch
CEO, Focus Graphite Inc.
dhanisch@focusgraphite.com
+1 (613) 612-6060
Jason Latkowcer
VP Corporate Development
jlatkowcer@focusgraphite.com
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could," "intend," "expect," "believe," "will," "projected," "estimated," and similar expressions, as well as statements relating to matters that are not historical facts, are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current beliefs or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events.
In particular, this press release contains forward-looking information relating to, among other things, the Company's collaboration with Advanced Energy Technologies Corp. ("AETC"), the preparation and delivery of advanced graphite materials for evaluation by Charge CCCV ("C4V"), the performance testing and potential qualification of the Company's proprietary silicon-enhanced spheroidized graphite within C4V's Digital DNATM platform, and the role of Focus Graphite's materials in strategic, defense-related, and commercial applications. It also includes statements regarding the potential geopolitical significance of Canadian graphite supply, the impact of Chinese export restrictions, the Company's positioning as a near- and long-term secure supplier of specialty graphite materials, and the anticipated advancement of the Lac Knife project through the final stages of the permitting process.
Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks related to market conditions, regulatory approvals, changes in economic conditions, the ability to raise sufficient funds on acceptable terms or at all, operational risks associated with mineral exploration and development, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's public disclosure documents available under its profile on SEDAR+.
The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties, and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
SOURCE: Focus Graphite, Inc.
View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
FAQ
What is the purpose of Focus Graphite's (FCSMF) testing program with AETC?
Why was Canadian natural graphite excluded from the 2025 U.S. 'Liberation Day' tariffs?
How does China's graphite export restriction affect FCSMF's market position?
What are the target markets for FCSMF's Lac Knife graphite project?
