The company produces advanced battery materials with a greener footprint and the new facility will enable Vianode to expand its R&D efforts, including a new office, laboratory and recruitment of more battery materials scientists. The company says this is an important step towards establishing a complete battery value chain in Norway for the European market.
Currently the VTC has 16 employees from nine nationalities. The plan is to increase the number to 25 by the end of 2025.
"Our materials are produced with up to 90% lower emissions than today's standard anode graphite materials, with unique characteristics enabling faster charging, increased range and better recyclability,” says Stian Madshus, general manager and VP in Vianode. “Still, it is essential to keep a dedicated focus on continuous improvement and next-generation battery materials going forward.”
Vianode recently announced an investment of NOK2bn in a battery materials plant at nearby Herøya, targeting production of anode graphite for about 20,000 EVs per year by 2024.
This investment is the first phase in a larger investment plan. The plant construction will be carried out in parallel with preparations for a second phase plant scaled to provide battery materials to two million EVs per year by 2030, covering a significant share of the global EV market.
