Novacium and Tokai COBEX Collaborate to Evaluate an Integrated and Sovereign European Anode Material Solution for Lithium-Ion Batteries

This collaboration aims to:

• Leverage two complementary areas of expertise: Novacium’s high-capacity silicon-based anode materials and Tokai COBEX’s low-carbon synthetic graphite developed for batteries and produced in Europe.
• Evaluate the techno-economic viability of an integrated European solution for a complete, high-capacity, low-carbon anode material.
  
  

MONTREAL and SOLAIZE, France, Sept. 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HPQ Silicon Inc. (TSX-V: HPQ, OTCQB: HPQFF, FRA: O08) is pleased to inform its shareholders that its strategic partner, NOVACIUM SAS, a French deep-tech company specializing in materials for energy applications, has announced the launch of exploratory work with Tokai COBEX Savoie, the French entity of Tokai COBEX, itself a subsidiary of the Japanese Tokai Carbon Group and a recognized player in carbon and graphite products. The research and development teams of both companies will evaluate the compatibility and performance of their respective materials to develop an integrated anode material solution designed and potentially produced in France.

Novacium brings its expertise in silicon-based anode materials developed to increase the energy capacity of lithium-ion cells ^[1]. Tokai COBEX brings battery-grade synthetic graphite with a stated purity of 99.99%, produced in France using a very low-carbon process ^[2]. The combination could bring together, within a single composite anode material, the high specific capacity of silicon with the stability and conductivity of graphite.

Graphite powder and Novacium cylindrical cells

An Ambition for Industrial Sovereignty

Graphite remains the dominant material used in lithium-ion anodes, but its theoretical specific capacity of approximately 372 mAh/g limits achievable energy gains. Silicon changes the scale: its theoretical capacity reaches approximately 4,200 mAh/g, more than ten times that of graphite, making it a major lever for significantly increasing cell energy density.

Silicon, however, presents a significant challenge: its volume can increase by more than 300% during lithiation. Controlling this expansion requires advanced material engineering. The published and validated performance of Novacium’s GEN3 and GEN4 anode materials shows that the company has developed a commercially relevant solution to address this challenge.

The joint evaluation therefore aims to determine whether the two technology components can form a complete, high-performance, durable and low-carbon anode solution capable of helping reduce Europe’s dependence on external materials and supply chains.

The proximity of the teams, with Novacium in Solaize and Tokai COBEX’s R&D centre in Vénissieux, should facilitate exchanges, shorten testing cycles and accelerate technical iterations. If the results are conclusive, this work could represent a step toward a more integrated, resilient and sovereign French supply chain for high-capacity lithium-ion battery anode materials.

A Structured Exploratory Initiative

At this stage, the collaboration relates exclusively to exploratory technical work and is not subject to any contract or binding commitment between the parties. No assurance can be given regarding the conclusion of any subsequent agreement, the industrialization of the solution or its commercialization.

“The objective is to verify that our silicon-based anode material can be effectively combined with French battery-grade synthetic graphite. Bringing these two complementary building blocks together in France would pave the way for a sovereign anode solution that is higher-performing, lower-carbon and more effectively controlled from an industrial standpoint.”

— Dr. Jed Kraiem, Ph.D., Chief Operating Officer of Novacium

“This collaboration illustrates Novacium’s strategic positioning. As graphite-based anode materials approach their theoretical capacity limits, integrating silicon-based materials represents one of the most promising avenues for enabling graphite manufacturers to offer higher-performance anode materials. This initiative aims to transform Novacium’s expertise in silicon-based materials into practical solutions for demanding applications, in collaboration with leading industrial partners. It also reinforces the strategic value of HPQ’s 36.8% equity interest in Novacium.”

— Bernard Tourillon, President & CEO of HPQ Silicon Inc., which itself, IS President of Novacium

“We have developed, in France, a battery-grade synthetic graphite with strong durability performance and a very low carbon footprint. Combining it with a high-capacity silicon-based anode material is a natural extension of our approach, which is focused on continuously improving performance while maintaining our environmental requirements. The proximity of our R&D teams to Novacium’s will allow us to concretely evaluate the compatibility of our materials and the potential for an integrated, ultra-high-performance anode solution that addresses European sovereignty challenges.”

— Bénédicte Allard, R&D Director, Tokai COBEX

“Our industrial sites have nearly 130 years of history, and drawing on that experience, we made the strategic choice several years ago to expand into battery graphite to address Europe’s societal and environmental challenges. Through the complementarity of our materials, our collaboration with Novacium helps strengthen the industrial position of Europe, and France in particular.”

— Vincent VITART, Managing Director, Tokai COBEX Savoie

Additional Information:

[1] Novacium’s silicon-based anode materials have demonstrated continuous progress. GEN3 enabled 18650 cells to reach an average capacity of 4,030 mAh and retain capacity above 3,000 mAh after 1,000 cycles. GEN4 subsequently enabled 21700 cells to reach an average capacity above 6,600 mAh under a standard protocol. An HPQ ENDURA+ GEN4 6,500 mAh platform has since obtained UL 1642 safety certification from an accredited independent laboratory.

[2] Tokai COBEX developed its battery graphite to minimize the carbon footprint of its products by using a block process, which is rarely used in the battery sector. The first industrial line, launched in January 2023, has one of the industry’s lowest carbon footprints, at less than 3 kg of CO₂ equivalent per kilogram of material. These results are based on a life-cycle assessment conducted in accordance with ISO 14040 and 14044 standards and reviewed by an independent third party. Compared with the carbon footprint of conventional battery graphites, which has been reassessed at approximately 40 kg CO₂ equivalent per kg of graphite*, Tokai COBEX graphite’s footprint represents a major advantage in ultimately producing low-impact European batteries.

* T. Carrere, U. Khalid, M. Baumann, M. Bouzidi and B. Allard, Carbon footprint assessment of manufacturing of synthetic graphite battery anode material for electric mobility applications, J. Energy Storage, 2024, 94, 112356.

About Novacium SAS

Novacium is a French deep-tech company based in Solaize, specializing in developing silicon-based anode materials for lithium-ion batteries using a proprietary process. The company also designs custom battery cells and packs for demanding applications, particularly in the defence, aerospace and portable energy sectors.

About Tokai COBEX

Tokai COBEX, a subsidiary of the Japanese Tokai Carbon Group, is an international player in carbon and graphite products. In France, Tokai COBEX Savoie operates an R&D centre in Vénissieux and industrial activities at two sites located near Lyon and in Savoie. It has developed battery-grade synthetic graphite produced in France using a low-carbon process.

About HPQ Silicon

HPQ Silicon Inc. is a Quebec-based industrial issuer listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSX-V: HPQ), focused on innovation in advanced materials and developing critical processes.

HPQ holds a strategic 36.8% equity interest in Novacium, its research, development and commercialization partner. Together, HPQ and Novacium are developing next-generation silicon-based anode materials (Gen3 and Gen4) for batteries, pursuing commercialization of ENDURA+ lithium-ion cells, and developing innovative technologies for clean hydrogen production and energy recovery from waste materials. HPQ holds the exclusive rights to commercialize these technologies in North America.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements based on certain assumptions regarding technological performance, market demand, permitting, financing, supply chains and economic conditions. These statements involve significant risks, including delays, regulatory issues, competition, availability of financing and macroeconomic uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated. HPQ presents detailed risk factors in its Annual Information Form available on SEDAR+. Forward-looking statements are provided solely to outline management’s future expectations and objectives. A more detailed cautionary note regarding forward-looking information related to the HPQ Endura+ batteries project is available for download [here]. Additional information regarding the Company is available on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and on the Company’s website at www.hpqsilicon.com.www.hpqsilicon.com/

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Contact Information

NOVACIUM SAS
Dr. Jed Kraiem, Ph.D., Chief Operating Officer
info@novacium.com

HPQ Silicon Inc.
Bernard J. Tourillon, BAA, MBA, President and CEO
info@hpqsilicon.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8175b3f8-442b-4d7f-b13f-720ae6838380