Global Battery Materials Corp. (GBM) has signed a non-binding Letter of Intent with South Korean battery technology and manufacturing company LiBEST to evaluate a potential supply relationship for natural graphite, coated spherical purified graphite (CSPG) and other anode materials sourced and processed entirely outside China.
The agreement targets growing demand for secure, China-independent battery material supplies across energy, defence, AI infrastructure and electric vehicles.
Under the LOI, the companies will evaluate GBM’s materials for potential commercial supply, product development and qualification. The partnership is also aimed at supporting supply chains designed to address applicable U.S. Foreign Entity of Concern (FEOC) requirements.
The agreement builds on an earlier Memorandum of Understanding between GBM and LiBEST covering battery-material testing, anode product development, supply-chain engagement and participation in government programs.
"LiBEST is a frontier battery technology company with a proven ability to design and mass-produce high-performance batteries. They are an ideal partner as we scale our graphite anode materials business," said Eric Miller, Chief Executive Officer of GBM.
"GBM continues to invest in our anode pilot plant and in developing new product and process IP in Korea. Since launching at the beginning of this year, we have moved quickly to qualify our product with customers urgently seeking a reliable anode supply outside China. In partnership with LiBEST, we are well positioned to meet the lithium-ion battery industry's exacting standards."
GBM said its pilot production plant and R&D facility in South Korea has validated its patented anode-processing technology and shipped battery-grade anode material to Tier-1 battery manufacturers for technical qualification.
LiBEST will evaluate GBM’s graphite and anode materials for possible use in selected high-performance battery applications, while exploring additional North American supply-chain options.
"Our customers have high standards for battery safety and performance, and securing a reliable, resilient supply of ex-China graphite and anode materials is increasingly important," said Dr. Joo-Seong (Elon) Kim, Chief Executive Officer of LiBEST.
"Through our collaboration with GBM, we plan to evaluate its graphite and anode materials for potential use in select high-performance battery applications and to strengthen our North American supply chain options."
The companies’ R&D and pilot operations are located in close proximity in South Korea, which GBM said could help accelerate technical communication, material testing and product development.
The LiBEST agreement also ties into GBM’s broader mine-to-market strategy. The company is advancing plans to restart the Kearney Mine in Ontario, building a vertically integrated platform that would span critical-mineral mining through anode-material processing.
GBM said the Kearney project has recently reached two key milestones: a positive Preliminary Economic Assessment and a Letter of Agreement with five First Nations supporting responsible development, including potential equity investment.
