CONSTRUCTION COMMENCED OF PHASE 1 PURIFICATION FACILITY FOR LITHIUM-ION BATTERY MATERIAL IN BÉCANCOUR AND THE LAND FOR PHASE 2 EXPANSION IS NOW SUCCESSFULLY ACQUIRED + Nouveau Monde is making significant progress on the advancement of its previously
PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release
CONSTRUCTION COMMENCED OF PHASE 1 PURIFICATION FACILITY FOR
LITHIUM-ION BATTERY MATERIAL IN BÉCANCOUR AND THE LAND FOR
PHASE 2 EXPANSION IS NOW SUCCESSFULLY ACQUIRED
+ Nouveau Monde is making significant progress on the advancement of its previously
announced Phase 1 purification operation at Olin Corporation’s facility in Bécancour,
Québec
+ Olin’s move -in ready space has proven advantageous in accelerating preparation an d
construction times
+ Key major equipment has arrived from Italy and will be installed shortly
+ Commissioning and first production of Nouveau Monde’s high-purity spheronised and
flake graphite for use in lithium-ion batteries is scheduled to commence mid-2021
+ Successful completion of the strategic acquisition of the 200,000-m² land for the Phase 2
expansion (commercial stage) in the Bécancour industrial park
+ This important milestone further cements Nouveau Monde’s vertical integration model,
allowing the Company to benefit from full exposure to the entire “mine-to-market”
battery materials value chain
+ Besides lithium-ion batteries, Nouveau Monde’s high-purity graphite products will target
high-growth markets such as fuel cells, and 5G heat dissipation foils
MONTRÉAL, CANADA, January 21, 2020 – Nouveau Monde Graphite inc. (“Nouveau Monde” or the
“Company”) (TSXV: NOU; OTCQX: NMGRF; Frankfurt: NM9) is pleased to provide an update on the
buildout of the Phase 1 operation at its move -in ready space located in B écancour, Québec
(referred to as “BEC1”). The Company is targeting mid-2021 for the commencement of production
of the first tonnes of high-purity spherical graphite destined for the high-growth EV and renewable
energy sectors. Once fully ramped up, the nameplate capacity of Phase 1 will be 1,500 tonnes per
annum of purified material produced using the first two state -of-the-art commercial -scale
modules. The Company intends to use t his initial production to advance its qualification process
with major battery makers with the objective to secure long-term supply agreements.
Eric Desaulniers, President and CEO of Nouveau Monde : “ The commercialisation of our
thermochemical purification process is a very important milestone for the Company. To date, we
have been able to ship a limited number of kilograms to potential clients, however our Phase 1
operation will allow us to send our customers tonnes of our advanced material. We’re excited but
remain clear-headed and focused on the end goal of becoming a tier-1 supplier of anode material
for lithium-ion batteries.”
Arne H. Frandsen, Chairman of Nouveau Monde continued : “I am delighted with the progress and
achievements to date . The strategic purchase of the adja cent land for our Phase 2 expansion , is
likewise of great importance. It will now allow Nouveau Monde to grow the production within the
Bécancour industrial park, allowing for a safe and cost-efficient expansion of our anode material
production”.
Key advancements at Phase 1
Since the beginning of January 2021 this year, Nouveau Monde has been present at Olin’s
facility on a daily basis and is pleased with the pace of advancement of the Phase 1 work.
The transformer -rectifier ordered from Friem in Italy in December 2019 successfully
completed a full year of extensive testing. It has been shipped from Italy on January 3, 2021
and arrived at the Port of Montreal on January 17. It is scheduled to be delivered onsite in
Bécancour on January 22. All preparatory work related to its installation is expected to be
be completed by the end of February.
Upgrades to the flooring of BEC1, began on January 5 and pouring of concrete is scheduled
to begin next week.
The installation of the exterior walls of the two modular furnaces is scheduled to begin in
February.
Bus bars (electrical conductors) are being manufactured and their installation is scheduled
to be completed in February.
Equipment orders are more than 95% complete , with the majority of deliveries expected
for February and March; critical items related to gas treatment and handling of chlorine
and graphite are expected to arrive onsite in April and May, ahead of the planned start-up
of the furnaces in late June.
Detailed engineering is expected to be completed before the end of January for
mechanical, piping and electrical installation in order to obtain bids and start construction
in March, as planned.
The control room and office are expected to be installed in early February.
The Company will continue to update the market on its social media platforms and website as the
construction continues to advance.
Nouveau Monde Completes the Purchase of the Phase 2 Site in Bécancour
In the press release dated October 27, 2020, Nouveau Monde announced that it had signed an
option to purchase a 200,000 -m² parcel of land adjacent to Olin’s property in the Bécancour
industrial park. The Company announces today that it has completed the purchase of this property.
As the future site of the Company’s commercial-scale transformation plant, it will produce a wide
range of value -added graphite -based materials. The property presents no environmental
limitations for construction and offers all necessary infrastructure to have a safe and direct
chemical supply from the adjacent Olin’s property as well as rail, port, and road access for both
importing raw materials and exporting final products throughout North America and Europe . The
Company is currently finalizing an internal FEL-1 scoping study on its Phase 2 commercial anode
material project in Bécancour; the Company will update the market once the study is completed.
Nouveau Monde is planning , with its modular approach, the production of 40,000 t onnes per
annum of anode material for the initial phase, with the option to expand as the anticipated demand
increases in the battery and speciality markets.
Aerial view of Nouveau Monde’s planned future commercial operations in Bécancour. Learn more about the
Company’s strategic location here: https://youtu.be/CGh4ZChdHmc
Vertical integration; from mine to high-quality graphite-based anode material production, all facilities in close
proximity to one another.
Transformer arriving at the Port of Montréal. Arrival at Bécancour scheduled this Friday, January 22, 2021.
About Nouveau Monde
Nouveau Monde is striving to become a key element in the sustainable energy revolution. The
Company is working towards developing a fully-integrated source of green battery anode material
in Quebec, Canada . Targeting full -scale commercial operations by 2023, the Company is
developing advanced carbon-neutral graphite-based material solutions for the growing lithium-
ion and fuel cell markets. With low -cost operations and high ESG standards, Nouveau Monde
aspires to become a strategic supplier to the world’s leading battery and auto manufacturers,
ensuring robust and reliable advanced material, while guaranteeing supply chain traceability.
Media Investors
Julie Paquet
Director, Communications
Nouveau Monde
+1-450-757-8905 #140
Christina Lalli
Director, Investor Relations
Nouveau Monde
+1-438-399-8665
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information
All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release including,
but not limited to (i) the positive impact of the foregoing on project economics, (ii) the successful
and timely completion of the projected construction of the phase 1 and phase 2 projects, (iii) the
commencement of the anticipated production and (iv) generally, or the “About Nouveau
Monde” paragraph which essentially describe the Company’s outlook and objectives, constitute
“forward-looking information” or “forward -looking statements” within the meaning of certain
securities laws, and are based on expectations, e stimates and projections as of the time of this
press release. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and
assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company as of the time of such statements,
are inherently su bject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and
contingencies. These estimates and assumptions may prove to be incorrect. Moreover, t hese
forward-looking statements were based upon various underlying factors and assumptions,
including the timely delivery and installation of the referenced equipment and machinery, the
Company’s business prospects and opportunities and estimates of the operational performance of
the referenced equipment and machinery, and are not guarantees of future performance.
Forward-looking information and statements are subject to known or unknown risks and
uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ mate rially from those anticipated or implied
in the forward-looking information and statements. Risk factors that could cause actual results or
events to differ materially from current expectations include, among others, delays in the
scheduled delivery times of the equipment and machinery , the ability of the Company to
successfully implement its strategic initiatives and whether such strategic initiatives will yield the
expected benefits, the operating performance of the Company’s assets and businesses,
competitive factors in the graphite mining and production industry, changes in laws and
regulations affecting the Company’s businesses, technological developments, the impacts of the
global COVID -19 pandemic and the governments responses thereto, and general economic
conditions. Unpredictable or unknown factors not discussed in this Cautionary Disclaimer could
also have material adverse effects on forward-looking statements.
Many of these uncertainties and contingencies can directly or indirectly affect, and could cause,
actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward -looking
statements. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate,
as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such
statements. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information
about management’s expectations a nd plans relating to the future. The Company disclaims any
intention or obligation to update or revise any forward -looking statements or to explain any
material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward -looking statements,
except to the extent required by applicable law.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined
in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy
of this release.
Further information regarding Company is available in the SEDAR database (www.sedar.com) and
on the Company’s website at: www.NouveauMonde.ca