The Department of Defense’s Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy has entered into an agreement with Graphite One (Alaska) to enhance capabilities for domestic graphite mining and processing. The agreement, valued at $37.5 million, aims to secure a reliable and sustainable supply of graphite materials within the United States for the production of large-capacity batteries.
Under the authority of the Defense Production Act (DPA) Title III and utilizing funds appropriated by the Inflation Reduction Act, the agreement will support Graphite One (Alaska) in establishing a domestic advanced graphite supply chain. The company’s strategy involves mining graphite from the Graphite Creek resource in Alaska and processing the ore through an advanced material and battery anode manufacturing plant, which is expected to be located in Washington State. Additionally, Graphite One plans to establish a recycling facility at the manufacturing site to reclaim graphite and other battery materials, forming an integral part of their circular economy strategy. The DPA Title III funding will expedite Graphite One’s feasibility study by a full year, facilitating progress toward their goal of a complete U.S.-based graphite anode supply chain.
Dr. Laura Taylor-Kale, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy, stated, “This investment to increase domestic capabilities for graphite exemplifies Industrial Base Policy’s commitment to building a resilient industrial base to meet current and future national defense requirements. The agreement with Graphite One (Alaska) advances the Defense Department’s strategy for minerals and materials related to large-capacity batteries.”
Graphite One’s founder and CEO, Anthony Huston, expressed gratitude for the Department of Defense’s award and highlighted the company’s confidence in its strategy to establish a fully U.S.-based advanced graphite supply chain. Huston emphasized the importance of critical minerals like graphite for sustaining a 21st-century tech-driven economy in the United States.
The Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy serves as the principal advisor for developing policies related to the maintenance of the U.S. defense industrial base. It oversees small business programs, conducts geo-economic analysis, and provides recommendations on budgetary matters. The office also monitors foreign investments and executes relevant authorities under U.S.C. Title 10.
This collaboration between the Department of Defense and Graphite One (Alaska) represents a significant step toward strengthening domestic capabilities in graphite mining and processing, supporting national defense requirements and ensuring a resilient supply chain for large-capacity batteries.