This photo, filed Oct. 26, 2022, shows Samsung SDI Co.’s headquarters in Giheung, about 40 kilometers south of Seoul.
SEOUL, Aug. 10 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korean battery maker Samsung SDI Co. is venturing to expand the supply of anode-active materials produced with natural graphite in the North American market.
The company recently entered a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Australian graphite explorer Syrah Resources Ltd. to procure a supply of natural graphite active anodes from Syrah’s Vidalia facility in the U.S. state of Louisiana, according to industry sources.
This step is viewed as part of Samsung SDI’s strategy to decrease reliance on China for essential materials and to address the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
Pursuant to the MOU, Samsung SDI will commence testing by incorporating Syrah’s active anodes in its battery products, a procedure anticipated to continue until July of the coming year.
Once the testing phase concludes, Samsung will initiate the receipt of up to 10,000 tons of natural graphite active anodes annually until 2026.
Following the conclusion of the testing, the two companies are expected to formalize an agreement through a signing process.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
