Interview with Dan Blondal, CEO at Nano One Materials Corp.

Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/nano-one-materials-tsxnano-taking-advantage-of-disruption-to-chinese-battery-supply-chain-6524

Recording date: 5th March 2025

Nano One Materials, led by CEO Dan Blondal, is positioning itself as North America's leading alternative to Chinese lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery cathode materials. The company has strategically transformed its financial structure by selling $22 million in real estate assets while retaining crucial operational capabilities, converting from property owner to tenant to strengthen its balance sheet without shareholder dilution.

With approximately $60 million in non-dilutive funding secured through government grants, strategic partnerships, and asset sales, Nano One has created a strong financial foundation to execute its plans despite challenging market conditions. This funding approach has effectively turned their initial $10 million investment in the Johnson Matthey facility in Quebec into a $60 million war chest.

The company's competitive advantage lies in its proprietary "one-pot" technology, which combines multiple cathode production steps into a single process. Unlike traditional Chinese manufacturing methods that generate substantial wastewater, Nano One's approach produces zero wastewater discharge while reducing capital costs and operating expenses. This technology can utilize North American iron sources rather than relying on Chinese supply chains.

Nano One's Quebec facility serves dual roles as both a production platform and demonstration site for potential licensing partners, with an estimated capacity of 1,600 tons annually. The company is initially targeting defense and aerospace customers who require non-Chinese supply chains, establishing credibility before expanding to automotive and energy storage markets.

Despite fluctuations in EV market growth, Nano One sees strong fundamentals across multiple applications including entry-level EVs, hybrid vehicles, and energy storage systems for renewable energy and data centers. The growing demand for energy to power AI and data centers is driving unprecedented need for battery storage, primarily using LFP technology.

For 2025, Nano One is focused on expanding capacity at its Quebec facility and validating materials with customers, with the goal of progressing from initial agreements to formal sales contracts by year-end. The company has attracted strategic partners including Rio Tinto, Sumitomo Metal Mining, and Worley, prioritizing relationships with organizations that share their long-term vision.

As geopolitical tensions highlight supply chain vulnerabilities, Nano One's technology addresses critical national security priorities by enabling North American battery material production independent from Chinese suppliers.

View Nano One Materials' company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/nano-one-materials

Sign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Quiet Time: Psalm 19