General Motors Co. has signed an agreement with a Norwegian synthetic graphite manufacturer for large-scale production for electric vehicle batteries, the companies said Wednesday.

The "multibillion"-dollar deal, according to a news release, covers supply of synthetic anode graphite toward 2033. Ultium Cells LLC, GM's battery joint venture with LG Energy Solution, will use the materials for next-generation batteries and drive units. Deliveries could be extended to other joint ventures too.

Anode graphite is the largest component of a lithium-ion battery by weight. It mostly is produced in China today. Vianode says it produces synthetic anode graphite with a 90% lower carbon dioxide footprint than conventional production methods.

“This agreement with Vianode for the development of artificial graphite is another great example of GM’s strategic effort to build a sustainable battery supply chain in North America,” Jeff Morrison, senior vice president of global purchasing and supply chain at General Motors, said in a statement.

Vianode will supply the synthetic graphite from a plant in North America with production expected to begin in 2027. GM chose the company after a multi-year qualification process from its anode graphite out of Vianode's pilot plant in Norway.

Vianode manufactures synthetic graphite in high-temperature production processes. Natural graphite typically is mined from carbon-rich rock formations.

“Our recent creation of Vianode North America and this agreement to supply GM's North American EV business," Vianode CEO Burkhard Straube said in a statement, "are key building blocks for a local, resilient supply chain for critical battery materials outside of Asia."

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