LONDON: Blencowe Resources (LSE: BRES) has announced its acceptance into the international SAFELOOP consortium, part of the European Commission’s €100 billion Horizon Europe Programme.

The SAFELOOP initiative focuses on the EU’s renewable energy transition, offering significant opportunities for Blencowe and its Orom-Cross Graphite Project in Uganda.

The consortium positions Orom-Cross as a critical supplier in the European electric vehicle (EV) supply chain, with exclusive access to premium pricing contracts and large-scale offtake commitments of up to 100,000 tonnes annually. This strategic move further validates Orom-Cross as a globally significant project, highlighting its role in meeting the growing demand for essential EV materials.

Key Advantages:

• Exclusive Supplier Role: Orom-Cross will provide natural flake graphite concentrate for all anodes used in SAFELOOP Gen3 Li-Ion batteries.
• Premium Pricing: The SAFELOOP programme offers significantly higher pricing for graphite compared to the Asian market.
• Large-Scale Offtakes: The programme aims for up to 100,000 tonnes of small flake graphite annually, ensuring a long-term revenue stream for Blencowe.
• Strategic Partnerships: Collaborations with European gigafactories and EV manufacturers open further opportunities for Orom-Cross.
• Green Credentials: Orom-Cross graphite will undergo EU Green Passport evaluation, enhancing its appeal in the European and North American markets.

Blencowe’s US technical partner, American Energy Technologies Co. (AETC), will process Orom-Cross graphite into battery-ready anode materials. AETC has conducted extensive testing on Orom-Cross products and will produce anode materials for SAFELOOP-designated gigafactory ASPILSAN in Turkey. These batteries will be used by EV bus manufacturer BOZANKAYA.

This partnership underscores the exceptional quality of Orom-Cross graphite and its alignment with SAFELOOP’s stringent requirements. Blencowe was selected as the exclusive supplier after a competitive evaluation, highlighting the value of its graphite for high-performance battery anodes.

Blencowe’s Executive Chairman, Cameron Pearce, expressed excitement about joining SAFELOOP, noting the significant opportunities for the company’s growth and contribution to Europe’s renewable energy transition. AETC’s Manager of Government Relationship, Anna Doninger, praised the collaboration and the high quality of Orom-Cross graphite, confident of a successful outcome in the SAFELOOP programme.

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