Focus Graphite Initiates Joint Development with Forge Nano to Evaluate Advanced Coating Technology for Lac Knife Graphite

• Joint Product Development Agreement (JPDA) signed with Forge Nano Inc., a U.S. specialist in atomic layer deposition (ALD).
• Scope: Process ~2 kg of natural graphite from the Lac Knife deposit under multiple ALD coating conditions.
• Objectives:
• Demonstrate that ALD can replace conventional pitch‑based coatings, reducing energy use and fossil‑fuel dependence.
• Generate performance data for battery, industrial and defence applications (cycle life, fast‑charging capability, high‑temperature stability).
• Build a data package to support future pilot‑scale programs, off‑take discussions, non‑dilutive funding applications and potential scale‑up.
• Expected deliverables: electrochemical metrics, durability results, and recommendations for larger‑scale coating runs.

Aspect	Assessment
Alignment with prior guidance	Consistent with earlier statements that Focus aims to add value through surface engineering (e.g., low‑carbon ALD) and to de‑risk downstream battery qualification.
Scale & immediacy	Proof‑of‑concept limited to 2 kg; no immediate revenue or cost impact.
Strategic relevance	Enhances the company’s downstream narrative, potentially opening a lower‑cost, greener coating route for high‑purity graphite anodes and defence materials.
Market perception	Positive but incremental – investors already expect technology partnerships; the news confirms execution rather than surprises.
Overall materiality	Routine – Positive: genuine progress that improves the project’s value proposition but does not materially shift valuation at this stage.

Focus Graphite Inc. (TSXV: FMS) develops two high‑grade flake graphite projects in Quebec, Canada: Lac Knife (high‑purity natural graphite target for battery, defence and advanced‑materials markets) and Lac Tetepisca (one of North America’s largest graphite resources). The flagship Lac Knife project is advancing through permitting (ESIA completion, dam‑break analysis, air‑dispersion modelling) and downstream validation (thermal purification, ALD coating, battery cell testing).