RIYADH/SYDNEY: NOVONIX Limited has agreed to establish an incorporated joint venture with TAQAT to develop and produce anode materials for electric vehicle and energy storage system batteries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

The joint venture, which has been in discussion since 2021, is intended to utilize NOVONIX’s leading battery technology and capability to develop a graphite anode materials facility with capacity of 30,000 tonnes per annum.

The project is to be located in Saudi Arabia and is expected to secure ready access to precursor material as feedstock for critical battery materials and access to developing end-use markets for the manufacture and sale of EVs and ESS applications.

The Government of Saudi Arabia, as part of its Vision 2030 goals, is using its investment power to support and create a more diverse and sustainable economy. Saudi Arabia plans to have 30% of all vehicles on road be electric by 2030.

In support of this initiative, Saudi Arabia launched Ceer, the country’s first electric vehicle brand, and a US based EV manufacturer also announced plans to build its first international factory in Saudi Arabia. Upstream projects such as the anode materials facility to be built under this JV will help support a localized supply chain for this sector in Saudi Arabia.

Further, TAQAT announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (‘MOU”) with Rabigh Refinery & Petrochemical Company (“Petro Rabigh”). Petro Rabigh intends to supply TAQAT Decant Oil and TAQAT intends to build a petroleum needle coking facility, using Chevron Lummus Global proprietary Needle Coke technology.

This will allow for the JV to access high quality local precursor material within Saudi Arabia while also being able to leverage NOVONIX’s existing suppliers of key feedstocks from North America and globally.

Chris Burns, CEO of NOVONIX commented, “I am very excited as to the possibilities that the joint venture presents to both of our companies. The joint venture will leverage NOVONIX’s existing work in North America and will allow us to more quickly scale our operations to extend our geographical reach to the global market.

We believe the joint venture will enhance our financial strength and profitability by both driving revenues and accessing cost competitive, quality feedstock for projects outside of North America. NOVONIX’s battery anode manufacturing expertise coupled with TAQAT’s anticipated strong financial support will help bring the first anode materials facility to Saudi Arabia.”

Jamal Al-Bassam CEO of TAQAT said, “We are pleased to partner with NOVONIX, a leading battery technology and battery materials company. Together, this provides a platform that benefits both companies, not just for the development of battery materials, but also to create a world-class graphite vertical in Saudi Arabia and support the Kingdom’s diversification efforts.”

Other Deal Terms:

• NOVONIX will appoint the JV’s CEO and COO and TAQAT will appoint the JV’s CFO. The JV will have a 5-person Board of Directors. TAQAT has the right to appoint 3 directors to the Board and NOVONIX has the right to appoint 2 directors to the Board, reflecting the parties’ respective equity interests in the JV.
• Certain decisions of the Board such as major disposals, major acquisitions, joint ventures, indebtedness, capital expenditures, litigation, or other significant matters of a corporate nature will require the approval of at least one NOVONIX appointed Director and one TAQAT appointed Director.
• The parties must incorporate the JV vehicle, provide initial funding for a front-end engineering and design (“FEED”) study and obtain merger control clearance (if required) from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Competition by 31 March 2024 in each case or the JV will terminate.

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