Forbes Magazine Article: NGC Graphite Supplier to Tesla Northern Graphite the likely supplier of graphite to Tesla according to Navigant Research: https://www.forbes.com/sites/pikeresearch/2014/08/01/teslas-gigafactory-comes-into-focus/ "Now the questions are how will the ownership of the site and its equipment be divided, and who will be the other component manufacturing partners? Expect a number of announcements on that end to come out over the next several months. Among the potential other manufacturing partners that Navigant Research expects to be chosen are a cathode material supplier (such as Nippon Denko or Umicore ), a graphite supplier (Northern Graphite, Alabama Graphite), an electrolyte manufacturer (Ube, Sumitomo, or Nichia), and a separator manufacturer (Celgard, Ube, or Toray). Other materials needed for the batteries, such as lithium carbonate, copper foil, and aluminum casings, will probably be made offsite and delivered by rail." Don't understand how Alabama Graphite got a mention as they are years away from production. Focus is also way behind as noted in their feasibility study that is published on SEDAR: "A project implementation schedule was prepared for the Project. Considering an environmental authorization to proceed with construction expected in March 2016, the full production start-up will be beginning of Q3 2017 providing an order is placed with suppliers for long lead items by end of 2015." Northern Graphite is the only fully permitted, shovel ready project ready to go and it can handle all of Tesla's needs for the first few years while it ramps up to full battery production. If Tesla uses Northern's proprietary process for coated spherical they will save at least the 30% they are looking for in battery production costs and will be environmentally responsible.