Kellyton – Westwater Resources, Inc., an energy technology and battery-grade natural graphite company, today announced that the Export-Import Bank of the United States has approved a $25 million direct loan to support continued development of the Company’s Kellyton Graphite Plant in Coosa County, Alabama.
The financing was approved under EXIM’s Make More in America Initiative, which supports export-oriented domestic manufacturing projects that strengthen critical U.S. supply chains. J.P. Morgan’s Securitized Products Group served as the Arranger and Structuring Agent in connection with the transaction.
The $25 million loan will provide non-dilutive capital to advance construction, equipment installation, commissioning and operational readiness activities at the Kellyton Graphite Plant. The financing is expected to support Westwater’s objective of commencing commercial production in 2027.
“This non-dilutive financing represents a significant milestone for Westwater and an important federal commitment to building a secure domestic supply chain for battery-grade natural graphite,” said Terence Cryan, Executive Chairman of Westwater Resources. “Kellyton is the most advanced American battery-grade natural graphite processing project, enjoying a 3-5 year first mover advantage over potential North American competitors. EXIM’s support strengthens our path toward commercial production in 2027 and recognizes the strategic importance of establishing this critical manufacturing capability here at home.”
Phase I of the Kellyton Graphite Plant is designed to produce approximately 12,500 metric tons of coated spherical purified graphite annually. The plant is strategically located in Alabama near a growing concentration of battery and automotive manufacturing operations across the southeastern United States.
The Kellyton Graphite Plant is the downstream advanced processing component of Westwater’s vertically integrated, mine-to-market strategy. The Company is also advancing the Coosa Graphite Deposit, located approximately 30 miles from Kellyton, as a potential long-term domestic source of natural graphite flake concentrate for the plant. Westwater holds mineral rights across approximately 41,965 acres at Coosa, which the Company believes is the largest and most advanced natural flake graphite deposit in the contiguous United States.