Northern Graphite Corporation has been selected by Natural Resources Canada to participate in a strategic Canada-Japan battery materials evaluation program, backed by CAD 155,800 in funding support.

The initiative enables Northern to test and qualify its battery anode materials under standardized, OEM-relevant testing protocols at the Lithium-ion Battery Technology and Evaluation Center in Japan. Northern is the sole battery anode material developer participating alongside Canadian cathode material developers, forming part of broader bilateral cooperation to establish supply chains outside of China.

Through the program, Northern will supply battery anode material samples produced using graphite feedstock from its Lac des Iles mine in Quebec and processed through the company's proprietary technology platform. Independent third-party evaluation at LIBTEC's Japanese facilities will benchmark the material against established industry reference standards across capacity, fast charging, cycle life, and material consistency.

The resulting performance data will support ongoing customer qualification efforts and commercial discussions with battery manufacturers and automotive original equipment manufacturers seeking secure supply sources.

"Japan is home to some of the world's most advanced battery and automotive companies, and participation in the LIBTEC program provides an important opportunity to test our materials under rigorous conditions while supporting broader Canada-Japan cooperation in critical minerals and battery supply chains," said Northern Chief Executive Officer Hugues Jacquemin. "Being selected for this initiative is an important endorsement of Northern's strategy to become a supplier of battery anode material to global markets seeking diversified supply chains." — Hugues Jacquemin, Chief Executive Officer

The evaluation program runs alongside other downstream initiatives. Northern previously secured funding support up to CAD 860,000 under the Canada-Germany Collaborative Industrial Research and Development Program for a 24-month project focused on sustainable battery anode materials. The company also signed a letter of intent with Italy's Alkeemia to take up to 50 percent capacity offtake at a graphite purification pilot plant in Porto Marghera, Italy.

Domestically, Northern is advancing a feasibility study for its planned battery anode material facility in Baie-Comeau, Quebec.

Read the full announcement: Northern Graphite Selected to Represent Canada in Battery Materials Evaluation Program with Japan's LIBTEC