Focus Graphite Announces Allowance of Canadian Patent for Silicon-Enhanced Graphite Anode Materials
Patent Allowance Strengthens Intellectual Property Position in Advanced Battery and Dual-Use Energy Storage Materials
Ottawa, Ontario - Newsfile Corp. - January 26, 2026 - Focus Graphite Inc. (TSXV: FMS) (OTCQB: FCSMF) (FSE: FKC0) ("Focus" or the "Company"), a leading developer of high-grade flake graphite deposits and advanced graphite materials for battery, defence, and industrial applications, is pleased to announce that the Canadian Intellectual Property Office ("CIPO") has allowed the Company's Canadian patent application No.3,209,696, entitled "Advanced Anode Materials Comprising Spheroidal Additive-Enhanced Graphite Particles and Process for Making Same" (the "Patent").
The allowance confirms that the Canadian Intellectual Property Office has completed its substantive examination and determined that the Patent claims meet all Canadian requirements for patentability, including novelty and inventiveness. Subject to the completion of final administrative steps, the Patent is expected to proceed to formal grant. The allowed Patent covers proprietary processes and compositions for silicon-enhanced, spheroidal graphite particles, designed to improve performance characteristics critical to lithium-ion battery anodes, including energy density, charge efficiency, and cycling stability, by incorporating silicon within the graphite particle architecture while leveraging graphite's structural stability and conductivity. Silicon is widely recognized as a key material in next-generation battery anodes due to its significantly higher theoretical energy storage capacity relative to conventional graphite.
By distributing silicon within the graphite structure, the technology is intended to address two fundamental challenges associated with silicon-enhanced anodes: charge-induced volume expansion and solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) instability. Embedding silicon within a graphite matrix is expected to help buffer volumetric expansion during cycling, supporting improved mechanical integrity, while the surrounding graphite structure may reduce direct silicon-electrolyte interactions, contributing to enhanced cycling stability and battery longevity.
In addition to commercial battery markets, the Company believes these performance attributes are relevant to a range of dual-use applications, including defence, aerospace, and other mission-critical systems, where energy density, durability, and operational reliability are essential. Advanced anode materials capable of maintaining stable performance under demanding operating conditions are increasingly viewed as strategically important across both civilian electrification and national security-related energy storage applications.
Dean Hanisch, Chief Executive Officer of Focus Graphite, commented, "The allowance of this Patent represents the culmination of years of focused research and development. The underlying technology was shaped under the guidance of Dr. Joseph Doninger, whose deep technical insight and commitment to innovation were instrumental to its success, and we are grateful for the work he contributed. With the Patent now allowed, we are well positioned to move forward with broader testing and advancement of this technology as part of our downstream strategy."
The allowance of this patent also aligns with growing North American and allied-nation priorities to establish secure, non-adversarial sources of battery materials, as governments and industry increasingly recognize the strategic risks associated with reliance on foreign-controlled supply chains. Graphite represents the largest material component of a lithium-ion battery by weight, and intellectual property protecting advanced anode materials is expected to play an important role in supporting domestic manufacturing, energy security, and defence-aligned and dual-use supply chains serving both civilian and national security priorities.
Focus Graphite continues to advance its graphite assets and technology initiatives as part of its broader strategy to support North American battery, energy storage, electrification, and advanced industrial markets, while building a differentiated portfolio that spans resource development and value-added downstream innovation.
Further updates will be provided as the Patent progresses to formal issuance and as the Company advances related technical and commercial initiatives.
In Memoriam - Dr. Joseph. E. Doninger
The Company also notes with deep respect the recent passing of Dr. Joseph E. Doninger, who was one of the inventors of the allowed patent and a key contributor to the development of the underlying technology. Dr. Doninger served as Vice President of Manufacturing and Technology at Focus and played an instrumental role in shaping the Company's downstream and advanced materials strategy.
Dr. Doninger earned his B.A. from the University of Illinois and completed his Ph.D. in chemical engineering at Northwestern University, beginning a distinguished career in industrial and applied materials science. He spent many years at IMC before serving as Senior Vice President of Research and Development at Superior Graphite, where he became widely recognized as a leading expert in the use of graphite for battery and advanced material applications. Over the course of his career, Dr. Doninger authored technical publications, held patents related to carbon-based materials, and addressed legislative and industry forums on energy and materials innovation.
Later in his career, Dr. Doninger founded Dontech Global, continuing to advise companies and advance materials technologies until the time of his passing. His technical insight, leadership, and commitment to innovation were foundational to the silicon-enhanced graphite anode technology reflected in this patent. Focus Graphite acknowledges his lasting contributions and honours his legacy.
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, defence, 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.com.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-graphite/
X: https://x.com/focusgraphite
Investors Contact:
Dean Hanisch
CEO, Focus Graphite Inc.
dhanisch@focusgraphite.com
+1 (613) 612-6060
Jason Latkowcer
VP Corporate Development
jlatkowcer@focusgraphite.com
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain 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, without limitation: (i) the expected progression of the allowed Canadian patent application to formal grant following completion of final administrative steps; (ii) the potential technical performance characteristics and intended benefits of the Company's silicon-enhanced, spheroidal graphite anode materials; (iii) the continued development, testing, and advancement of the patented technology as part of the Company's downstream strategy; (iv) the potential commercial applications of the technology across battery, energy storage, industrial, and dual-use markets; (v) the Company's ability to leverage its intellectual property portfolio to support future partnerships, licensing opportunities, or commercialization initiatives; and (vi) the role of the Company's advanced materials strategy in supporting secure, non-adversarial, and domestically aligned supply chains for critical battery materials.
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.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
