$3.2B graphite production plant planned for St. Thomas

Key Takeaways:

• Vianode is investing $3.2 billion to build North America’s first large-scale low-emission synthetic graphite facility in St. Thomas, Ontario, creating 300 initial jobs and up to 1,000 at full capacity.
• The plant will produce up to 150,000 tonnes of synthetic graphite annually—enough for about two million EVs—strengthening North America’s battery supply chain and reducing reliance on China, which currently dominates global production.
• Ontario is supporting the project with a loan of up to $670 million, highlighting the province’s strategy to become a major supplier for critical industries and boost economic growth across the regional supply chain.

The Whole Story:

The Ontario government has secured a $3.2 billion investment from Vianode, a Norway-based synthetic graphite manufacturer, to build a new production facility in St. Thomas, marking the company’s entry into the North American market.

The facility will create nearly 300 jobs initially, with 1,000 positions expected once operations reach full capacity. The multi-phased St. Thomas site will ultimately produce up to 150,000 tonnes of synthetic graphite annually—enough to supply roughly two million electric vehicles per year, the government said in a news release.

Synthetic graphite is essential to EV batteries, nuclear reactors, semiconductors, aerospace and defence systems, and steelmaking. The facility will be the first large-scale low-emission synthetic graphite production site in North America, positioning Ontario to reduce global reliance on China, which currently controls more than 80 per cent of global synthetic graphite production.

The Ontario government is providing a loan of up to $670 million, subject to a definitive agreement, to support the project.

“Today marks an important step towards a resilient North American battery supply chain,” said Burkhard Straube, CEO of Vianode. “Ontario and the city of St. Thomas have been strong partners from day one, and Via TWO will bring industrial-scale, low-emission graphite to market through a phased build-out that supports customers, communities and the clean-energy transition.”

Premier Doug Ford said the investment strengthens the province’s competitive advantage in a critical industry. “We’re proud to welcome Vianode to St. Thomas as we strengthen our province’s competitive advantage in a critical industry and build the most competitive, resilient, self-reliant economy in the G7,” Ford said.

Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, added that the investment positions Ontario as a leading supplier for strategic industries amid global supply chain uncertainty.

Emanuele Tricca, Managing Director of Vianode Canada, said the location offers proximity to major manufacturing hubs and access to skilled workers. “St. Thomas is exactly where we need to be — next to major manufacturing hubs and in a region with the skills to scale,” Tricca said.

The project is expected to generate economic benefits across southwestern Ontario’s supply chain, from mining and refining to battery manufacturing and advanced manufacturing. Last year, Ontario attracted $39 billion in investment from over 400 companies, creating nearly 25,000 jobs.