Focus Graphite Advanced Materials Commences Work Program with AETC for C4V Digital DNATM Testing and Strategic Specialty Applications Exclusion of Canadian natural graphite from President Trump’s “Liberation Day” U.S. Tariffs underscores
PRESS RELEASE
Focus Graphite Advanced Materials Commences Work Program
with AETC for C4V Digital DNATM Testing and Strategic Specialty
Applications
Exclusion of Canadian natural graphite from President Trump’s “Liberation Day” U.S. Tariffs underscores
urgency to fast-track testing and qualification with industry partners.
April 9th, 2025
Ottawa, ON – Focus Graphite Advanced Materials Inc. (TSX.V: FMS | OTCQB: FCSMF | FSE: FKC) (“Focus” or the
“Company”), is pleased to announce the commencement of its advanced material preparation and testing
program in collaboration with U.S.-based Advanced Energy Technologies Corp. (“AETC”), a leading processor of
industrial graphite and carbon materials for the upstream and advanced downstream applications. This work is
being undertaken to provide qualification materials to Charge CCCV ( “C4V”) of Binghamton, New York for
qualification as part of C4V’s proprietary Digital DNATM Rapid Access qualification platform, as well as to support
various strategic and specialty industrial collaborations currently under prototype development and contracting
with C4V’s customer base.
The objective of this initiative is to fast -track the generation of premium-quality samples, including Focus’s
proprietary silicon-enhanced spheroidized graphite for anode active materials, from its Lac Knife project located
in Québec, Canada. Pilot lots of qualification products will be delivered to C4V for detailed performance testing,
evaluation and integration into form -factored batteries, following their approval for use . Focus previously
announced th e strategic testing collaboration with C4V in a pres s release dated March 5 th, 2024, which
highlighted the importance of the Digital DNATM platform, as well as the potential for Lac Knife material to be
validated as a critical component for green utilities battery energy storage systems (BESS), gigafactory supply
chains, and specialty and defense-related energy storage systems. The work program with AETC represents the
next building block in that collaboration.
Focus welcomes the recent decision by the U.S. administration to exempt several critical minerals, including
natural graphite, from the new “Liberation Day” tariffs announced by President Trump on April 2nd, 2025. Under
Section 3(b) of the executive order, critical minerals deemed essential to national security and clean energy
objectives – including natural graphite – have been granted full exemptions. The urgency to execute this
qualification test work stems from growing geopolitical tensions and trade restrictions, particularly between the
U.S. and China. Despite soaring demand, the U.S. remains 100% reliant on foreign import of natural graphite –
primarily from China. The Company is well positioned to respond to increased market demand and policy support
on both sides of the border .
Jason Latkowcer, VP Corporate Development of Focus, commented, “We’re aggressively executing our strategy
to secure offtake partners and fast -track commercialization into advanced technology applications . This
program is focused on qualifying our material for premium markets where demand is accelerating, and supply
chains remain highly vulnerable. Critical minerals have become a key geopolitical lever, and graphite has been
under Chinese export restrictions since October 2024.”
PRESS RELEASE
Jeff York, Chairman of the Company, added, “Success happens when you solve a real problem. Right now, the
U.S. and North America are in urgent need of secure, domestic sources of specialty graphite for national defense
and the advanced materials supply chain. China is restricting exports of the type of graphite we have at Lac Knife,
and the U.S. feels it. That’s why natural flake graphite from Canada was left off the new tariffs. With two projects
in hand and one in the final stages of the mine permit process, Focus is looking more and more like the near -
and long-term solution.”
About American Energy Technologies Company
American Energy Technologies Co. (AETC) is a woman -owned, privately held business concern which conducts
operations out of the greater Chicago area. In its Arlington Heights, IL facility AETC operates three business units:
a manufacturing plant making batt ery-ready graphite and carbons, a pilot demonstration facility for battery
materials and graphite dispersions, and a fully- functional research and development laboratory supporting the
above business units. Additionally, in late 2021, AETC acquired anoth er plant site, known as “AETC - East”, in
Wheeling, IL. It is the only North American, end-to-end graphite processing site where AETC can take in graphite
bearing rock as raw material and output battery-ready graphite, to serve a variety of market segments such as
lithium-ion, metal air, lead -acid, alkaline, lithium primary batteries and electrochemical super capacitors.
Currently, AETC is the only organization in North America capable of producing commercial quantities of
spheroidized surface coated battery -ready graphite for lithium -ion battery anodes. It develops and operates
unique refining, particle spheroidization, and carbon coating technologies. AETC is developing and produces
spherical graphite (both natural and synthetic), expanded graphite, partial ly graphitized nanostructured
carbons, ultra-high purity graphite-based electrically conductive inks, paints, and coatings which find use within
the industry. AETC is a proud supply chain member of electric vehicles and an approved supplier to ten battery
manufacturers and one fuel cell producer.
For more information on AETC please visit https://www.usaenergytech.com
About Charge CCCV
Charge CCCV (C4V) is a lithium-ion battery technology company specializing in battery performance optimization
and gigafactory design. Based in Binghamton, New York, C4V collaborates with industry-leading raw material and
equipment suppliers to bring to market fully optimized batteries with key economic advantages, providing best-
in-class performance for various applications.
C4V has played a significant role in establishing Imperium3 New York (iM3NY), a consortium dedicated to building
a lithium-ion battery gigafactory in Endicott, New York. This initiative has garnered substantial financial support,
including a $50 million loan from Riverstone Credit Partners and $35 million in equity funding, underscoring the
confidence in C4V's technological expertise and its potential impact on the energy storage industry.
For more information on C4V please visit https://www.chargecccv.com
PRESS RELEASE
About Focus Graphite 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 Tétépisca 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
cutting-edge battery technologies, including our patent pending proprietary silicone -enhanced spheroidized
graphite technology, 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
Company’s collaboration with Advanced Energy Technologies Corp. (“AETC”), the preparation and delivery of
advanced graphite materials for evaluation by Charge CCCV (“C4V”), the performance testing and potential
PRESS RELEASE
qualification of the Company’s proprietary silicon-enhanced spheroidized graphite within C4V’s Digital DNATM
platform, and the role of Focus Graphite’s materials in strategic, defense-related, and commercial applications.
It also includes statements regarding the potential geopolitical significance of Canadian graphite supply, the
impact of Chinese export restrictions, the Company's positioning as a near- and long-term secure supplier of
specialty graphite materials, and the anticipated advancement of the Lac Knife project through the final stages
of the permitting process.
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 re quired 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.