Vianode signs Letter of Intent with South Korean battery component manufacturer JR Energy Solution
Oslo, Norway / Eumseong, South Korea, May 5, 2026 — Vianode, an advanced battery materials company, has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with South Korean battery component manufacturer JR Energy Solution for the supply of high-performance synthetic anode graphite intended for batteries powering next-generation electric vehicles and energy storage systems.
The LOI reflects a mutual ambition to explore a future offtake agreement for synthetic anode graphite produced by Vianode, beginning with supply from its Via ONE facility in Norway and later transitioning to Via TWO, its planned large-scale site in St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada.
As part of the LOI, the companies will collaborate on product validation, qualification pathways, and supply chain integration, with the aim of leveraging Vianode’s low-emission synthetic graphite technology to address rising global demand for high-quality battery materials.
This development represents a significant milestone for Vianode in establishing a foothold in Asia’s highly competitive battery market. The agreement reflects growing demand among leading battery manufacturers for high-performance anode materials sourced from outside China, as the industry accelerates efforts to build more resilient and diversified supply chains. By entering the South Korean battery ecosystem, Vianode strengthens its position as a global supplier of sustainable graphite solutions, supporting customers seeking both supply security and reduced carbon footprints in next-generation high-performance lithium-ion batteries.
“South Korea represents a critical hub in the global battery value chain, and this agreement is an important milestone in our ambition to become a leading supplier of advanced anode materials worldwide,” said Glen Kozeli, Director Sales & Business Development at Vianode. “We are seeing clear demand for high-quality, non-Chinese graphite solutions, and this collaboration positions us to support our partners with reliable, low-emission materials as the industry continues to scale.”
More than 95% of the synthetic graphite used in lithium-ion battery cells is currently manufactured in China, leaving global markets heavily dependent on these imports. Vianode produces synthetic graphite in Norway and is currently developing production capacity in Canada, strengthening access to locally produced anode materials and supporting a more resilient and secure battery supply chain for its customers globally.
“We are pleased to collaborate with Vianode to evaluate high-performance synthetic graphite materials that support our customers’ next-generation battery technologies,” said Duke Oh, CEO of JR Energy Solution. “This partnership aligns with our commitment to innovation, supply security, and high-quality electrode manufacturing.”
