Mr. Scott Monteith reports

AVALON APPOINTS VETERAN RENEWABLES AND CLEAN-TECH EXECUTIVE TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Avalon Advanced Materials Inc. has appointed Timothy Haig to its board of directors, a move consistent with the company's strategic objective to build Ontario's first vertically integrated lithium supply chain serving the North American electric-vehicle battery market,

Background

Mr. Haig is currently the chief executive officer and founder of Forge Hydrocarbon Corp. He has raised over $500-million in growth capital for several companies both public and private, holds expertise in industrial process optimization, early-stage financing and technology scale-up and brings deep experience in non-carbon-intensive, alternative energy commercialization

"We welcome Mr. Haig's extensive knowledge and first-hand experience in bringing complex, innovative processes into production, something he has done multiple times in the fields of renewable and low-carbon fuel technologies," said Scott Monteith, chief executive officer, Avalon. "He's a visionary in clean energy development, with a reputation for uncompromising integrity. We look forward to his contributions to the board and Avalon's senior leadership team."

As CEO of Forge Hydrocarbon Corp., Mr. Haig has brought to market a proprietary, patented process for transforming lipids into renewable diesel, a technology first developed by the University of Alberta. He also served as a board member and interim CEO of GreenMantra Technologies from 2013 to 2015, where he raised capital to commercialize the company's molecular recycling technology that transforms plastics into specialty polymer additives for industrial applications.

Prior to that, Mr. Haig was co-founder of Biox Corp., a renewable fuels company that was founded on a technology developed at the University of Toronto. The executive successfully took an idea from lab patent in 2000 to a public company in 2010. Mr. Haig subsequently helped take BIOX Corp. private in 2017, merging the enterprise with the second-largest renewable fuels producer in North America.

Mr. Haig holds an industrial engineering degree (PEng) from the Royal Military College of Canada, and Master of Business Administration (MBA) from London City University. He served for more than a decade in the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command, in various officer positions.

"Mr. Haig's skillset speaks directly to the technological, commercial and overall strategic credentials Avalon is bringing in house as we advance our plans to bring an ambitious and exciting vision to reality," Mr. Monteith added.

Avalon would also like to extend its sincere gratitude to John E. Fisher, who has stepped down from the board of directors. Mr. Fisher joined the board in February, 2020, providing valuable counsel in his time with the company. Avalon is grateful for his contributions.

Closing the mid-stream gap

One of Avalon's core strategic objectives is to build a mid-stream lithium processing solution that bridges the upstream lithium resources of Northwestern Ontario with the downstream EV battery manufacturing in the southwest. Central to that strategy is Avalon's 383-acre industrial property located in Thunder Bay, Ont., which features major transportation infrastructure including road, rail and deepwater port access. Avalon further envisions an industrial park concept on site that will include Ontario's first lithium processing facility, a technology and innovation centre, as well as lithium battery recycling capabilities, all of which will support Ontario's critical minerals strategy, generate long-term job growth and deploy world leading, innovative lithium process technology.

Innovative, sustainable processing

Avalon is diligently working with leading international partners like Metso Corp. to test and co-create innovative commercial production processes that will help solidify Canada's environmental leadership. Through the research and development efforts undertaken by Avalon and partners, the company's proprietary lithium hydroxide process is vastly less pollutive than conventional acid-roasting conversion methodologies. The process operates in an alkaline state and utilizes a pressure leaching process which is unique for lithium conversion, allowing for the elimination of sulphuric acid use, and therefore no production of sodium sulphate as a biproduct. Instead, a substance called analcime -- an inert solid aluminium silicate -- is produced, as well as calcium carbonate. Both substances have use in industrial building applications and industries. The method also reduces overall air emissions compared to conventional hydroxide production.

In addition, it is expected to be a safer process for the operating personnel, the environment and community in general compared to the traditional acid roasting technology employed in jurisdictions with less stringent commitments to environmental stewardship compared to North America.

About Avalon Advanced Materials Inc.

Avalon Advanced Materials is a Canadian mineral development company focused on vertically integrating the Ontario lithium supply chain. The company, through its joint venture with Sibelco NV, is currently developing its Separation Rapids lithium deposit near Kenora, Ont., while also continuing to advance the Lilypad and Snowbank lithium projects located near Fort Hope, Ont. Avalon is also working to develop its Nechalacho rare earths and zirconium project located in the Northwest Territories. This deposit contains critical minerals for use in advanced technologies in the communications and defence industries, among other sectors.

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