Exceptional supercapacitor results with existing offtake partner YUNASKO pave the way for independent NASA testing, reinforcing higher-value aerospace and defence market potential.
Blencowe Resources Plc (LSE: BRES), the natural resources company advancing the Orom-Cross graphite project in Uganda, is pleased to announce further successful testing of Orom-Cross graphite in high-performance supercapacitor cells developed with existing offtake partner YUNASKO and leading US graphite specialist American Energy Technologies (“AETC”).
The results demonstrate exceptional power delivery characteristics, reinforcing the potential of Orom-Cross graphite for specialist aerospace, defence and other high-performance energy storage applications.
Building on these results, new prototype cells are being prepared for independent evaluation at NASA laboratories, with work expected to commence from December 2026. Successful verification would provide an important technical endorsement, potentially accelerating acceptance of the technology across the wider aerospace and defence industries.
Highlights
· Exceptional supercapacitor performance: Large 5Ah cells incorporating Orom-Cross graphite achieve power capability approaching 2 kW/kg, discharge rates successfully tested up to 70C.
· NASA testing programme: New prototype supercapacitor cells being prepared for independent verification at NASA laboratories from December 2026, with successful results potentially accelerating acceptance across US defence and aerospace applications.
· Aerospace and defence applications: Results support the potential use of Orom-Cross graphite in advanced technologies requiring rapid energy delivery and high power output.
· Established technical and commercial partners: Testing undertaken with AETC and YUNASKO, an existing offtake partner with a five-year non-binding MOU covering an initial 500 tonnes per annum of purified medium-flake graphite.
· Higher-value market potential: Latest results build on successful testing across battery, hypersonic aerospace and anti-radar applications, supporting Blencowe’s strategy to develop specialist graphite markets beyond conventional concentrate sales.
Superior Performance Testing
Blencowe has been working with AETC and YUNASKO to develop advanced supercapacitor cells incorporating Orom-Cross graphite in both the anode and cathode.
Supercapacitors are designed to deliver large amounts of energy rapidly, making them particularly valuable in applications requiring high power output, rapid discharge and reliable performance under demanding conditions.
The latest testing programme involved large 5Ah cells, which demonstrated excellent formation cycling over more than 130 cycles at a current of 10 amperes.
Importantly, Ragone testing demonstrated power capability approaching 2 kW/kg, while YUNASKO successfully tested discharge rates of up to 70C.
These results highlight the potential of Orom-Cross graphite in high-performance energy storage systems, particularly for specialist aerospace and military applications where conventional battery technologies may be unable to meet demanding power requirements.
Figure 1. High-Power Performance
Figure 2. Consistent Cell Performance
Next Stage: Independent NASA Testing from December
Building on these results, Blencowe and its technical partners are preparing additional prototype supercapacitor cells for independent performance evaluation at NASA laboratories, with entry into the testing schedule anticipated from December 2026.
The significance of this programme extends beyond potential applications within NASA itself. Independent verification through NASA laboratories is expected to provide a highly credible technical reference for the performance of the supercapacitor technology, supporting its wider evaluation and potential adoption across US defence and international aerospace markets.
Successful verification could accelerate the commercial development of specialist applications requiring high power output and rapid energy delivery, including opportunities within the broader defence and aerospace supply chains.
Expanding Higher-Value Commercial Opportunities
The latest results add to a growing body of international test work demonstrating the quality and versatility of Orom-Cross graphite across multiple advanced applications.
Recent programmes have included battery technologies, hypersonic rocket applications and anti-radar coatings, highlighting the potential for the Company’s graphite to serve a range of specialist markets beyond conventional battery and industrial uses.
YUNASKO’s continued development of supercapacitor technology using Orom-Cross graphite demonstrates how existing commercial relationships could evolve into additional higher-value opportunities.
Blencowe has also secured non-binding offtake coverage exceeding its planned Phase 1 production of 20,000 tonnes per annum and continues to develop a diversified sales strategy targeting both established graphite markets and specialist applications capable of commanding premium pricing.
Iain Wearing, Interim Chief Executive Officer, commented:
“These are extremely encouraging results, demonstrating the ability of Orom-Cross graphite to perform in some of the most demanding energy storage applications.
The next stage is particularly exciting, with new prototype cells being prepared for independent evaluation at NASA laboratories from December. The significance extends well beyond potential NASA applications, as successful independent verification could help accelerate acceptance of the technology across the wider defence and aerospace industries and further high-value commercial opportunities.
We are now seeing repeated technical success across a growing range of demanding applications, from advanced batteries and supercapacitors to hypersonic aerospace and anti-radar technologies. Together, these results provide compelling evidence of the quality and versatility of Orom-Cross graphite, significantly strengthening its commercial application and potential.
Our strategy is to translate this growing body of technical success into a diversified portfolio of customers across high-value markets, where the performance of our graphite can deliver meaningful commercial advantages as we advance Orom-Cross towards production.”
For further information please contact:
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Blencowe Resources Plc |
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Sam Quinn (Non-Executive Chairman) |
Tel: +44 (0)1624 681 250
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Sasha Sethi (Investor Relations) |
Tel: +44 (0) 7891 677 441 |
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Tavira Financial (Joint Broker):
Jonathan Evans |
Tel: +44 (0)20 3192 1733 |
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Crest Corporate Broking (Joint Broker):
Mungo Sheehan / Jerry Keen |
Tel: +44 (0)20 3973 3678 |
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Cavendish (Joint Broker):
Neil McDonald / Peter Lynch / Hanna Leijonmarck |
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7908 6000 |
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X (formerly Twitter) |
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Background
Orom-Cross Graphite Project
Orom-Cross is a world class graphite project both by size and end-product quality, with a high component of more valuable larger flakes within the deposit.
A 21-year Mining Licence for the project was issued by the Ugandan Government in 2019 following extensive historical work on the deposit and Blencowe is now moving towards first production.
Orom-Cross presents as a large, shallow open-pitable deposit, with a maiden JORC Indicated & Inferred Mineral Resource deposit of 64.03Mt @ 6.04% Total Graphite Content. Development of the resource is expected to benefit from a low strip ratio and free dig operations, thereby ensuring lower operating and capital costs.
Yunasko Ltd.
YUNASKO is a leading power source producer operating in Ukraine and developing supercapacitors (SCs) and their hybrids with Lithium-Ion Batteries (“LIBs”). The latter can be called LIB-Intensified-by-Graphene (“LIBIG”). Both technologies focus on low internal resistance, as this can provide high power density with low heat generation and therefore additional safety. The highest efficiency of YUNASKO SCs is confirmed by a number of international experts and customers, as example PSA (France), JME Inc, Wayne State University, Eagle Picher and MOOG (all four in the USA). These are all leading battery and energetic device designers and manufacturers.
