In a significant boost to Ontario's electric vehicle (EV) supply chain, the Norwegian company Vianode has announced a monumental $3.2-billion investment to build a state-of-the-art synthetic graphite plant in St. Thomas. The project, celebrated at an event on Thursday, November 20, 2025, is set to create hundreds of high-value jobs and solidify the region's role in the global green economy.
A Landmark Investment for Southwestern Ontario
Ontario Premier Doug Ford was on hand in St. Thomas to formally welcome Vianode, presenting the company with a $670-million financial support package from the province. During the announcement, Vianode CEO Burkhard Straube shared the company's ambitious plans. The facility is projected to initially employ 300 people when production begins in 2028, with the potential to ramp up to approximately 1,000 jobs as operations expand.
This plant represents Vianode's first manufacturing footprint in North America and is poised to become the largest synthetic-graphite production facility in the Western world. Premier Ford hailed the development, calling the positions "life-changing careers" that will support tens of thousands of additional indirect jobs across mining, battery manufacturing, and advanced manufacturing sectors.
Securing a Critical EV Supply Chain
The strategic importance of this investment cannot be overstated. Currently, Western electric vehicle battery manufacturers are entirely dependent on imports, with 100 per cent of their graphite sourced from Asia. The new St. Thomas plant will fundamentally alter this dynamic, creating a resilient and independent supply chain for North America and its G7 partners.
"Our investment here in St. Thomas will solve Western, Ontario and Canada challenges and build a resilient supply chain for the G7 in critical minerals, closing the gap in the automotive and EV value chain," stated CEO Burkhard Straube. He emphasized that Ontario and Canada have successfully built an impressive auto supply chain, and this project is the crucial next step.
Broad Impact and Future Prospects
The facility's massive scale will allow it to produce roughly 150,000 tonnes of graphite annually—enough material to power more than two million electric vehicles. While the primary focus is on the EV battery market, Vianode also plans to supply other key industries, including nuclear energy, defence, and steelmaking.
St. Thomas Mayor Joe Preston described the project as a "generational change" that will enable people to buy homes and build their lives in the community. Provincial Economic Development Minister Vic Fedeli clarified that the government's $670-million contribution is structured as a loan, underscoring the plant's role as a critical component of Ontario's comprehensive EV strategy. Although Vianode has an existing supply deal with General Motors in the U.S., no agreement is yet in place with the nearby Volkswagen-owned PowerCo battery plant under construction in St. Thomas.
