The Globe and Mail reports in its Friday, Feb. 16, edition that General Motors and Panasonic Holdings will buy electric-vehicle battery materials from Nouveau Monde Graphite and invest in the company. The Globe's Nicolas Van Praet writes that GM and Panasonic have each committed to purchasing 18,000 metric tonnes of graphite for battery anodes annually, beginning when Nouveau Monde's planned mining and refining facilities enter production. The offtake agreements will run for six to seven years, and they represent about 85 per cent of Nouveau Monde's planned commercial production, which it is aiming to begin in 2027. GM and Panasonic have also agreed to make equity investments in Nouveau Monde, starting with a $25-million interest each (all figures U.S.). GM has pledged another $125-million once the miner makes a final decision to proceed with its plans, and Panasonic has pledged $150-million if the same condition is fulfilled. Panasonic has said it would potentially make this investment alongside co-investors. Two of the miner's existing backers, Mitsui & Co. and Pallinghurst Group, also announced Thursday that they are injecting a combined $37.5-million of additional dollars into the company.