Focus Graphite has entered into a joint development agreement with Forge Nano to evaluate atomic layer deposition (ALD) coating technology on natural graphite from its Lac Knife project in Québec, Canada.
The programme will assess whether ALD-coated graphite can improve key battery performance parameters, including cycle life, fast-charging capability and durability under demanding operating conditions. Approximately 2kg of graphite from the Lac Knife deposit will be processed and tested under multiple coating conditions.
Under the agreement, Focus Graphite will supply uncoated natural graphite, while Forge Nano will carry out coating, analytical testing and electrochemical evaluation. The work is intended to generate a performance data package to support future scale-up decisions, customer engagement and potential commercial agreements.
ALD as a viable alternative to conventional pitch coating?
A central objective is to determine whether ALD can provide a viable alternative to conventional pitch coating, which remains widely used in graphite anode production but is energy-intensive and reliant on fossil-derived inputs.
The collaboration reflects increasing industry focus on surface engineering of battery materials, as manufacturers seek to enhance performance under fast-charging and high-cycle conditions.
“Performance gains in next-generation batteries are increasingly unlocked at the surface level,” said Jason Latkowcer, VP corporate development at Focus Graphite. “By combining Lac Knife’s high-grade graphite with Forge Nano’s atomic layer deposition platform, we are evaluating how atomic-scale coatings can improve battery life, charging performance, and durability. This collaboration is a step toward positioning this material for higher-performance roles within North American energy and defence supply chains.”
If successful, the project could support the development of higher-value graphite products from Lac Knife, aligning with growing demand for advanced anode materials in lithium-ion batteries across automotive, industrial and defence applications.
