Focus Graphite and C4V Report Breakthrough Early Results Showing 26% Improvement in LFP Cathode Density Using Lac Knife Cathode Ultima Lac Knife graphite shows 26% higher cathode density in battery test, opening premium market opportunities beyond
Focus Graphite and C4V Report Breakthrough
Early Results Showing 26% Improvement in
LFP Cathode Density Using Lac Knife Cathode
Ultima
Lac Knife graphite shows 26% higher cathode density in
battery test, opening premium market opportunities beyond
anodes, and zero-waste potential.
Ottawa, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - September 15, 2025) -
Focus Graphite Inc. (TSXV: FMS)
(OTCQB: FCSMF) (FSE: FKC0)
("
Focus
" or the "
Company
"), a leading Canadian graphite
developer advancing high-grade projects in Quebec, is pleased to announce highly encouraging early
results from independent battery cell testing conducted by Charge CCCV LLC ("
C4V
"), a New York-
based leader in lithium-ion battery technology and gigafactory design.
Initial results demonstrate that spheroidization rejects from the Lac Knife deposit - typically considered
waste - produced a twenty-six percent (26%) increase in cathode electrode density in single-side coated
electrodes (2.39 g/cc vs. 1.76 g/cc baseline). A total of four percent (4%) conductive additive was used
in the lithium iron phosphate ("
LFP
") cathode, made up of two percent (2%) carbon black and two
percent (2%) Lac Knife Cathode (LKC) Ultima (50:50 ratio). The tests also showed equivalent
conductivity and comparable cycling stability up to forty (40) cycles. These findings suggest Lac Knife
graphite by-products may represent a high-value conductive additive and significant energy-storage
advantages with potential to replace or complement carbon black, the industry standard, while enabling
a zero-waste processing model.
Higher cathode density allows more active material to be packed into each cell, effectively increasing
energy storage without enlarging the battery size. This improvement allows battery manufacturers to
achieve higher volumetric energy density, better efficiency, and lower cost per kilowatt-hour, all while
maintaining the inherent safety and cycle life of LFP cells like C4V's BMLMP (P Series cells) which
currently increase voltage and energy density by fifteen percent (15%) compared to typical LFP cells.
With this innovation, Focus is enabling the next generation of high-performance, cost-effective lithium-ion
batteries - an advantage that is particularly meaningful for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
supporting renewable energy & EV systems. The ability to achieve greater density without sacrificing
conductivity or cycling stability underscores the potential value of Lac Knife graphite as a next-generation
conductive additive.
This opportunity is further reinforced by the rapid growth in the market for lithium-ion battery (LIB)
cathode conductive auxiliary agents. According to a January 2025 report by Markets and Markets, the
global market is expected to expand from approximately US$1.80 billion in 2024 to US$4.32 billion by
2029, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 19.1%
1
. With such robust growth
forecasts, early evidence that Lac Knife graphite can compete with and potentially outperform
conventional carbon black highlights the strategic opportunity for Focus Graphite to participate in a high-
value, high-growth specialty market.
If validated through larger-scale testing, this breakthrough could enable Focus to fully utilize its
concentrate, create high-value by-products, and diversify into cathode markets all while offering ESG
advantages through Quebec's renewable hydro energy and a potential clean-energy carbon footprint.
The Company plans to advance testing to single pouch cells (150mAh) & multilayer pouch cells (3Ah),
explore different blend ratios (e.g. 60/40 or 70/30), and continue joint validation with C4V to assess
scalability.
"These early results validate the potential for Lac Knife graphite to expand beyond anode applications,"
said Baasit Ali Shaik Sulaiman, VP Supply Chain of C4V. "Often single digit improvements in battery
applications are notable. We look forward to advancing this collaboration through larger format batteries
as part of our Digital DNA® program and the potential of this product for the North American supply
chain."
"We continue to showcase the versatility of our Lac Knife deposit," said Dean Hanisch, CEO of Focus
Graphite. "A twenty-six percent improvement in cathode density is an encouraging early result in an
industry where even small gains matter. Enabled by Lac Knife's unique flake and our use of a thermal
fluidized bed oven, these findings suggest that by-products may be transformed into high-value cathode
materials with zero-waste potential. While further testing and validation are required, this work indicates
possible applications in Battery Energy Storage Systems, one of the fastest-growing segments of the
market. This aligns with our strategy to maximize the value of Lac Knife's graphite flakes and advance
opportunities to supply premium materials to downstream customers."
Figure 1: Cycle Performance Comparison: LKC Ultima Blend vs. C4V Baseline Carbon Black
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1963/266408_fe817751b4ae59a7_001full.jpg
Figure 2: Normalized Cycling Comparison of LKC Ultima Blend vs. C4V Baseline Carbon Black
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1963/266408_fe817751b4ae59a7_002full.jpg
Figure 3: Summary of Cathode Performance Metrics, LKC Ultima Blend vs. C4V Baseline Carbon
Black
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1963/266408_fe817751b4ae59a7_003full.jpg
Figure 4: Product Information Bulletin for Lac Knife Cathode (LKC) Ultima
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
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About Charge CCCV (C4V)
C4V™ is a lithium-ion battery technology company possessing critical insights related to the optimum
performance of lithium-ion batteries and Gigafactory's. C4V's discoveries have been fruitful in vastly
extending battery life, safety and charge performance, however more important is the Gigafactory
offering that allows emerging countries to establish their own robust manufacturing ecosystem. C4V
works with industry-leading raw material suppliers and equipment supply chain to bring to market fully
optimized batteries possessing key economic advantages providing the ultimate "best in class"
performance for various applications and end- to-end solutions to produce them on a Gigawatt hour
scale. With its unique and innovative business model C4V is rapidly gearing towards 100+GWh of cell
production capacity globally by 2032 and its Digital DNA Supply Chain solution ensures materials meet
the highest industry standards for performance and reliability.
For more information on C4V please visit
http://www.chargecccv.com
.
About Focus Graphite Advanced Materials Inc.
Focus Graphite Advanced Materials is redefining the future of critical minerals with two 100% owned
world-class graphite projects and cutting-edge battery technology. Our flagship Lac Knife project stands
as one of the most advanced high-purity graphite deposits in North America, with a fully completed
feasibility study. Lac Knife is set to become a key supplier for the battery, defense, and advanced
materials industries.
Our Lac Tetepisca project further strengthens our portfolio, with the potential to be one of the largest and
highest-purity and grade graphite deposits in North America. At Focus, we go beyond mining - we are
pioneering environmentally sustainable processing solutions and innovative battery technologies,
including our patent-pending silicon-enhanced spheroidized graphite, designed to enhance battery
performance and efficiency.
Our commitment to innovation ensures a chemical-free, eco-friendly supply chain from mine to market.
Collaboration is at the core of our vision. We actively partner with industry leaders, research institutions,
and government agencies to accelerate the commercialization of next-generation graphite materials. As
a North American company, we are dedicated to securing a resilient, locally sourced supply of critical
minerals - reducing dependence on foreign-controlled markets and driving the transition to a sustainable
future.
For more information on Focus Graphite Inc. please visit
http://www.focusgraphite.com
Investors Contact:
Dean Hanisch
CEO, Focus Graphite Inc.
+1 (613) 612-6060
Jason Latkowcer
VP Corporate Development
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These
statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could," "intend,"
"expect," "believe," "will," "projected," "estimated," and similar expressions, as well as statements
relating to matters that are not historical facts, are intended to identify forward-looking information and
are based on the Company's current beliefs or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such
future events.
In particular, this press release contains forward-looking information relating to, among other things,
the potential applications of Lac Knife graphite by-products as conductive additives in lithium iron
phosphate (LFP) cathodes, the significance of the twenty-six percent (26%) improvement in electrode
density observed in early testing, and the anticipated benefits of higher cathode density for energy
storage systems. It also includes statements regarding the Company's ability to fully utilize its
concentrate, create high-value by-products, diversify into cathode markets, and deliver environmental,
social, and governance (ESG) advantages through Québec's hydro-powered, low-carbon energy
infrastructure. Forward-looking information further includes the Company's plans to advance testing
beyond coin cells into pouch cells, to explore alternative blend ratios, and to continue collaboration
with Charge CCCV LLC ("C4V") to validate scalability.
Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors
that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed
or implied by such statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks
related to market conditions, regulatory approvals, changes in economic conditions, the ability to
raise sufficient funds on acceptable terms or at all, operational risks associated with mineral
exploration and development, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's public
disclosure documents available under its profile on SEDAR+.
The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and the
Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of
new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because
of the risks, uncertainties, and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue
reliance on forward-looking information.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services accepts responsibility for the adequacy or
accuracy of this release.
1
Source:
https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/lib-cathode-conductive-auxiliary-agents-market-
54153618.html#:~:text=Overview,USD%201.80%20billion%20in%202024
.
To view the source version of this press release, please visit
https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/266408