Focus Graphite Officially Commences Government-Supported Thermal Purification Project to Establish Dual-Use Graphite Production in Canada
$14.1M NRCan-Funded Program Begins with Six-Tonne Bulk Sample to Produce 500 kg High-Purity Graphite for Reactor Engineering and Product ValidationOttawa, Ontario--(ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com - March 2, 2026) - Focus Graphite Inc. (TSXV: FMS) (OTCQB: FCSMF) (FSE: FKC0) ("Focus" or the "Company"), a Canadian developer of high-grade flake graphite deposits and advanced graphite materials for battery, defence, and industrial applications, is pleased to announce that it has shipped a six-tonne bulk ore sample from its 100%-owned Lac Knife Graphite Project ("Lac Knife" or the "Project") to SGS Canada Inc. ("SGS") in Lakefield, Ontario, officially commencing pilot-scale processing under its Natural Resources Canada ("NRCan") funded demonstration program. The program is designed to produce approximately five hundred (500) kilograms of graphite concentrate to support downstream thermal purification, final reactor engineering, and product validation initiatives.The six-tonne sample will undergo crushing, blending, head assays and metallurgical benchmarking prior to pilot-scale processing. SGS will operate a batch pilot flotation circuit to generate high-grade graphite concentrate targeting approximately 95% graphitic carbon. Final concentrate will be dried and screened into size fractions suitable for subsequent purification testing. The Company anticipates that concentrate will be produced and shipped to its technology partner, Thermal & Material Engineer Center ("TMEC"), within approximately eight to nine weeks to support the commencement of final reactor design work, with the balance of the three-month program consisting primarily of data compilation and reporting activities.As previously announced on December 8, 2025, the Company formalized a funding agreement for up to $14.1 million in non-repayable contributions under NRCan's Global Partnerships Initiative ("GPI"). The Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources said, "As global demand for critical minerals accelerates, Canada is ready to lead. Focus Graphite's work at Lac Knife shows how we can build a fully Canadian value chain-from resource to high-purity graphite-and strengthen our economic security in the process. Advancing pilot-scale processing here at home supports good jobs, attracts investment and reinforces Canada's position as a trusted supplier in a changing world."Claude Guay, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, added, "Today's progress at Lac Knife shows how Canadian companies are translating ambition into action. By advancing pilot-scale processing here in Canada, Focus Graphite is helping build the downstream capacity that supports good jobs, strengthens regional economies and positions Canada to supply the advanced materials our partners rely on."Richard Pearce, Technical Advisor to Focus, stated, "SGS Lakefield is a globally recognized leader in mineral processing and pilot-scale metallurgical testing and has extensive familiarity with the Lac Knife flowsheet. This bulk sample program represents a key milestone as we advance Lac Knife toward vertically integrated, high-purity graphite production in Canada. Generating pilot-scale concentrate materially de-risks scale-up and accelerates our pathway toward commercial demonstration."The concentrate generated through this program will serve two primary strategic objectives. Material shipped to TMEC will support final engineering, detailed design optimization and preparation of construction-level specifications for the Company's thermal purification plant reactor, representing a critical step toward fabrication and demonstration-scale production. In parallel, a portion of the concentrate will be retained for customer qualification and product validation initiatives, enabling engagement with potential end users across battery, defence, and advanced materials sectors. Together, these workstreams advance Focus' objective of establishing an integrated, Canadian supply chain pathway from resource to high-purity graphite product.High-purity graphite is an essential material used in lithium-ion batteries, energy storage systems, advanced defense applications and high-technology manufacturing. Establishing domestic production capacity for graphite concentrate and purification is increasingly viewed as strategically important for supply chain security, advanced manufacturing competitiveness and energy transition objectives.In parallel with metallurgical testing, Focus has conducted site visits to multiple potential host facilities in Quebec and Ontario for installation of its planned thermal purification demonstration plant. The Company is actively evaluating existing industrial infrastructure, utilities access, logistics networks and permitting pathways as it advances final reactor design in collaboration with its technology partner.The Company will provide further updates as pilot-scale processing progresses and as additional milestones are achieved.Qualified PersonThe technical content disclosed in this news release was reviewed and approved by Richard Pearce, PE, President of Brasil Insight Capital LLC., a consultant to the Company, and a qualified person as defined under National Instrument NI 43-101.About Focus Graphite Advanced Materials Inc. Focus Graphite Advanced Materials is redefining the future of critical minerals with two 100% owned world-class graphite projects and cutting-edge battery technology. Our flagship Lac Knife project stands as one of the most advanced high-purity graphite deposits in North America, with a fully completed feasibility study. Lac Knife is set to become a key supplier for the battery, defense, and advanced materials industries.Our Lac Tetepisca project further strengthens our portfolio, with the potential to be one of the largest and highest-purity and grade graphite deposits in North America. At Focus, we go beyond mining - we are pioneering environmentally sustainable processing solutions and innovative battery technologies, including our patent-pending silicon-enhanced spheroidized graphite, designed to enhance battery performance and efficiency.Our commitment to innovation ensures a chemical-free, eco-friendly supply chain from mine to market. Collaboration is at the core of our vision. We actively partner with industry leaders, research institutions, and government agencies to accelerate the commercialization of next-generation graphite materials. As a North American company, we are dedicated to securing a resilient, locally sourced supply of critical minerals - reducing dependence on foreign-controlled markets and driving the transition to a sustainable future.For more information on Focus Graphite Inc. please visit http://www.focusgraphite.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-graphite/X: https://x.com/focusgraphiteInvestors Contact: Dean HanischCEO, Focus Graphite Inc.dhanisch@focusgraphite.com+1 (613) 612-6060Jason LatkowcerVP Corporate Developmentjlatkowcer@focusgraphite.comCautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking StatementsCertain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could," "intend," "expect," "believe," "will," "projected," "estimated," and similar expressions, as well as statements relating to matters that are not historical facts, are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current beliefs or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events.In particular, this press release contains forward-looking information regarding, among other things, the completion and timing of the six-tonne bulk sample program at SGS; the anticipated production of approximately 500 kilograms of high-grade graphite concentrate; the expected performance and outcomes of pilot-scale flotation and purification testing; the use of concentrate to support reactor engineering, purification demonstration and product validation activities; the advancement of a Canadian-based graphite purification demonstration facility supported by NRCan's GPI; the development of a vertically integrated graphite supply chain in Canada; and the Company's plans and objectives for the Lac Knife Project.Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks related to market conditions, regulatory approvals, changes in economic conditions, the ability to raise sufficient funds on acceptable terms or at all, operational risks associated with mineral exploration and development, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's public disclosure documents available under its profile on SEDAR+.The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties, and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/285904 Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com