Volt’s US subsidiary joins Defense Industrial Base Consortium, advancing plans for a graphite refinery supporting battery, defense, and energy sectors.
Volt Resources Limited, a prominent graphite producer and advanced materials developer, has announced that its wholly owned U.S. subsidiary, Volt Energy Materials LLC, has been officially approved to join the Defense Industrial Base Consortium (DIBC). This strategic achievement marks a significant step in Volt’s progress towards establishing its Alabama Graphite Refinery, a facility intended to process high and ultra-high-purity graphite.
The DIBC, funded by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), plays a crucial role in reinforcing and expanding the nation's defense industrial base. It brings together a wide network of contributors — including traditional suppliers, innovative startups, academic institutions, and non-profit organizations — to accelerate the development, research, and deployment of defense technologies and solutions. The consortium is managed by Advanced Technology International (ATI) under an Other Transaction Agreement (OTA), which facilitates agile and direct engagement with DoD projects by allowing members to access less bureaucratic and faster contracting mechanisms.
By gaining membership in the DIBC, Volt Energy Materials LLC is now positioned to participate in OTA contracts, which offer streamlined opportunities for collaboration on advanced materials and technologies that are vital to U.S. national security. This approval enhances Volt’s capacity to pursue research, development, demonstration, and procurement programs funded by the U.S. government, particularly in fields aligned with battery materials, clean energy, and critical defense applications.
Volt’s recent achievements further underscore its commitment to building a U.S.-based graphite refining operation. The company has completed a positive Scoping Study, revealing a pre-tax Net Present Value (NPV) of US$136 million, and has selected a suitable industrial site at the Airport Industrial Park in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. Additionally, Volt has relocated its U.S. headquarters to The EDGE at the Alabama Entrepreneurship Institute, positioning itself within a hub for innovation, job creation, and startup growth. The Phase 1 capital expenditure is estimated at US$21 million, and planning for a pilot plant is already in progress, supported by ongoing offtake discussions.
Volt’s participation in the DIBC also complements its membership in the Military Power Sources Consortium, an advisory body that contributes energy-related insights to the Department of Defense. As graphite is officially designated a critical mineral by the U.S. government, Volt’s Alabama-based project aligns closely with national strategies aimed at securing reliable, domestic supplies of essential raw materials.
CEO Prashant Chintawar emphasized the importance of the DIBC membership, stating:
“This development reflects a pivotal moment for Volt’s expansion in the U.S. Through direct engagement with the Department of Defense, we are better positioned to support secure, domestic supply chains for high-purity materials critical to defense and battery technologies. Our Alabama project not only supports national security priorities but also drives economic development and job creation in the region.”
Volt will continue to assess strategic opportunities under the DIBC structure and issue updates as progress unfolds.
