Norwegian Minister of Climate and Environment visits sustainable battery materials producer Vianode in Kristiansand

Espen Barth Eide, Norway’s Minister of Climate and Environment, today visited Vianode’s industrial pilot for advanced battery materials in Kristiansand, Norway.

Barth Eide was given a tour of Vianode’s industrial pilot, which opened in 2021 and is now approaching two years of operation. The pilot plant builds upon more than 100 years’ experience with process and technology development, including from Elkem’s plant at Fiskaa, which is the largest producer of carbon solutions in the western world. This core competence gives Vianode a strong position for sustainable growth.

Vianode aims to become a leading producer of battery materials, with significantly lower emissions compared to conventional production. Vianode’s materials have unique performance characteristics that improve battery properties. In electric vehicles (EV), this includes faster charging, increased range, longer service life, as well as increased safety and recyclability.

“We believe that Vianode can play an important role in the green transition and in creating new green industry in Norway. Vianode is producing materials that matter and building industrial leadership in advanced battery materials. To succeed, it is important that new ventures have access to renewable energy and competitive framework conditions,” said Stian Madshus, deputy CEO and Head of Development of Vianode. 

Vianode, owned by Elkem, Hydro and Altor, produces advanced battery materials with a greener footprint. The company will invest around NOK 2 billion at Herøya, Norway to create new industrial jobs and provide critical battery materials in its first investment phase.

This investment is an important step towards establishing a complete battery value chain in Norway for the European market. Vianode has an ambition to provide battery materials to 2 million EVs per year by 2030, covering a significant share of the global EV market.