NOUVEAU MONDE’S RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT CONSORTIUM ADVANCES ITS CARBON-NEUTRAL BATTERY ANODE PROGRAM + Nouveau Monde’s R&D consortium, led by Professor Lionel Roué of the Institut national de la recherche scientifique, advances its proprietary lithium-ion battery anode program
PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release
NOUVEAU MONDE’S RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT CONSORTIUM
ADVANCES ITS CARBON-NEUTRAL BATTERY ANODE PROGRAM
+ Nouveau Monde’s R&D consortium, led by Professor Lionel Roué of the Institut national
de la recherche scientifique, advances its proprietary lithium-ion battery anode program
with an important technological breakthrough
+ Nouveau Monde is developing the western world’s largest and most sustainable supply of
carbon-neutral battery anode material for the global EV industry
SAINT-MICHEL-DES-SAINTS, QUEBEC, September 21, 2020 – Battery anode and specialty applications
company, Nouveau Monde Graphite (“Nouveau Monde” or “the Company”) (TSXV: NOU; OTCQX: NMGRF;
Frankfurt: NM9) is pleased to announce that its research and development consortium, led by Professor
Lionel Roué of the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (“INRS”), has made significant advancements
in the development of its lithium-ion (“Li-ion”) battery anode material. The team has made an important
breakthrough in silicon-enhanced anode material with improved specific capacity and longer cycle life – and
in doing so, has further optimised the planned production process and profitability, with demonstrated
commitment to sustainability.
Nouveau Monde is continuing research, development, and commercialization of its advanced battery anode
solutions for the rapidly accelerating electric vehicle and energy storage markets . Nouveau Monde is
working with world renown ed experts in North America, Europe and Asia to optimis e anode material
particle design and process flow. Successful tests have been completed and Nouveau Monde is currently
progressing the detailed engineering and procurement for its integrated battery anode material process,
with commissioning of the demonstration facility scheduled for mid-2021. Nouveau Monde’s proprietary
sustainable transformation process limits usage of chemical additives and leverages Quebec’s clean
hydropower to ensure green and responsible production.
Eric Desaulniers, President and CEO, states, “We will provide to industry-leading battery and automakers a
carbon-neutral anode material that complies with the strictest performance specifications, in meaningful
quantities at low -cost – we will do so with the highest standards of ESG while ensuring supply chain
traceability.”
Industry Breakthrough
This grant highlights the benefit of the partnership with Dr. Lionel Roué’s team at INRS; the optimisation of
Nouveau Monde ’s battery anode material production line is expected to significantly increase the
Company’s profitability. The cutting-edge practices that Dr . Roué and Nouveau Monde have developed
considerably increases fine graphite recoveries and uses silicon to form a high-value secondary particle,
useable as an active Li-ion battery anode material. Nouveau Monde’s graphite particles and binder will be
used as a swelling buffer for silicon nanospheres. The resulting composite will have improved specific
capacity and longer cycle life, which addresses shortfalls normally associated with silicon. In addition, the
smaller graphite particles are more suitable for fast charging applications.
Arne H. Frandsen, Chairman of Nouveau Monde, said, “This important technological innovation where we
recycle a traditional by -product into a high -value anode material will have the potential of significantly
increasing Nouveau Monde’s profitability. It also demonstrates our strong R&D capabilities within battery
materials as well as an unwavering focus on sustainability and zero-carbon footprint.”
Silicon-enhanced graphite anode material is expected to play a growing role to increase the capacity of the
Li-ion battery. Nouveau Monde is committed to staying at the forefront of technology and working with its
potential clients – its R&D team is already designing advanced graphite -based products where the
interaction between graphite and silicon is well optimized. Dr. Roué and his team are recognized as world
experts in this field having active collaboration with industry leaders such as SAFT, Renault and HPQ Silicon.
In recognition of its leading innovation, the Canadian Government has provided Nouveau Monde with a
grant to optimise this technology. This follows a formal evaluation by the Natural Sciences and Engineering
Research Council of Canada (“NSERC”) and demonstrates the leadership and support of the Government to
establish Quebec at the forefront of electrification in North America.
Electric Vehicle Market Perspectives
The electric vehicle revolution continues to accelerate globally. Europe’s electric vehicle sales in 2020 have
already exceeded those for the entire year in 2019 and are rapidly approaching those of the largest market,
China. At the same time, the push for a reliable and environmentally-friendly supply chain outside of China
continues – Nouveau Monde will be an important supplier to this market, providing carbon-neutral anode
material, entirely underpinned by Quebec’s hydropower.
In addition, the market opportunity for Nouveau Monde in North America is significant. The number of
planned battery cell and electric vehicle plants continues to grow in North America and Nouveau Monde is
optimally located to be the key anode supplier for this burgeoning industry, as shown below.
With access to Quebec’s cheap hydropower, industry expertise and well-established infrastructure, as well
as strong support from the Government and institutional shareholders, Nouveau Monde provides investors
with an attractive opportunity to sustainably leverage the global electric vehicle revolution.
Professor Lionel Roué Biography
Dr. Roué of the INRS Énergie Matéri aux Télécommunications (Energy Materials Telecommunications -
EMT) Research Centre has developed a scientific program focused on the study of new electrode materials
for various applications of industrial interest (batteries, aluminium production, etc.). In recent years, a
significant part of his research activities has been devoted to the study of Si anodes for Li-ion batteries and
the development of in -situ characterization methods applied to batteries. He is the author of more than
150 publications, including twenty articles and two patents on Si-based anodes for Li-ion batteries. Dr. Roué
was awarded the Energia Prize by the Quebec Association for the Mastery of Energy for his work in this
field.
About the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS)
INRS is a university dedicated exclusively to graduate level research and training. Since its creation in 1969,
INRS has played an active role in Quebec’s economic, social, and cultural development and is ranked first
for research intensity in Quebec and second in Canada. INRS is made up of four interdisciplinary research
and training centres in Quebec City, Montreal, Laval, and Varennes, with expertise in strategic sectors: Eau
Terre Environnement, Énergie Matériaux Télécommunications, Urbanisation Culture Société, and Armand-
Frappier Santé Biotechnologie. The INRS community incl udes more than 1,400 students, postdoctoral
fellows, faculty members, and staff.
About Nouveau Monde Graphite
Nouveau Monde Graphite is set to become a key operator in the sustainable energy revolution . The
Company is developing the only fully integrated source of green battery anode material outside of China.
Targeting full scale commercial operations by early 2023 , the Company will provide advanced carbon-
neutral graphite-based material solutions to the growing Lithium-ion and fuel cell markets. With low-cost
operations and the highest of ESG standards, Nouveau Monde Graphite will become a strategic supplier to
the world’s leading battery-- and automakers, ensuring robust and reliable advanced material , while
guaranteeing supply chain traceability.
Media Investors
Julie Paquet
Director, Communications
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Christina Lalli
Director, Investor Relations
438-399-8665
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Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information
All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release including, but not limited to the
issuance of Common Shares to its employees in settlement of the unpaid wages related to the COVID-19 pandemic and,
generally, the “About Nouveau Monde Graphite” paragraph which essentially describes Nouveau Monde’s outlook and
objectives, constitute “forward -looking information” or “forward -looking statements” within the meaning of certain
securities laws, and are based on expectations, estimates 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 Nouveau Monde as of the time of such statements, are inherently subject to significant business,
economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. These estimates and assumptions may prove to be
incorrect.
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 and plans relating to the future. Nouveau Monde disclaims any intention or
obligation to update or r evise 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 Nouveau Monde is available in the SEDAR database (www.sedar.com) and on Nouveau
Monde’s website at: www.NouveauMonde.ca