M2i Global, along with Volato Group, and Next-Gen Energy Technology Advance Strategic Partnership Amid Historic U.S.–Australia Critical Minerals Framework
First Li-NCA Cathode Materials Manufacturing Plant Outside of China Is On Track for Commissioning by Q2 2027
Adelaide, Australia, Atlanta, GA and Reno, NV, Dec. 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- M2i Global, Inc. ("M2i," the "Company," "we," "our" or "us") (OTCQB:MTWO), a company specializing in the development and execution of a complete global value supply chain for critical minerals, along with Volato Group, Inc. ("Volato") (NYSE:SOAR), a technology-driven company, and Next-Gen Energy Technology, today announced significant progress under their long-term collaboration and offtake agreement for Lithium Nickel Cobalt Aluminum (Li-NCA) cathode materials. This milestone comes on the heels of the landmark Critical Minerals Framework signed last month by U.S. President Donald J. Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, which commits over $8.5 billion in joint projects to secure resilient supply chains for critical minerals and rare earths 1 2 3.
Accelerating Onshore Battery Manufacturing
Under the agreement executed in late 2024, Next-Gen Energy Technology is establishing the first Li-NCA cathode materials manufacturing plant outside China, located in Australia. The pilot facility is on track for commissioning by Q2, 2027, with full-scale production of 10,000 tons per annum by 2028, representing an estimated US $340 million (AU$520M) in annual revenue at scale.
This initiative leverages Next-Gen's patented technology for advanced cathode materials and M2i Global's Critical Minerals Ecosystem, which provides turnkey solutions for supply chain transparency, strategic policy engagement, and secure offtake agreements. Together, the companies aim to replicate this model across Australia and the U.S., scaling global capacity to 200,000 tons over the next decade 4.
Strategic Alignment with U.S.–Australia Framework
The recent U.S.–Australia Critical Minerals Framework underscores the importance of projects like this in reducing reliance on China, which currently dominates over 90% of global refining capacity for rare earths and battery metals 5. The framework includes:
- $3 billion in near-term investments and up to $8.5 billion in project pipeline for mining and processing critical minerals.
- U.S. Export-Import Bank financing of $2.2 billion, unlocking up to $5 billion in total investment.
- Construction of a 100 metric ton-per-year gallium refinery in Western Australia, reinforcing advanced technology supply chains6.
Driving Energy Security and Economic Growth
Andrew Cooper, CEO of Next-Gen Energy Technology, stated: "Our Li-NCA technology is transformative and this project is nation-building. This partnership ensures sovereign manufacturing capability for Australia while supporting U.S. energy security and the global transition to clean energy."
Major General (Ret) Alberto Rosende, Chief Executive Officer of M2i, stated, "The offtake agreement with Next-Gen positions us at the forefront of a secure, transparent supply chain for critical minerals—essential for defense, EV batteries, and renewable energy storage."
Why This Matters
- Energy Transition: Li-NCA cathodes are critical for high-performance EV batteries and grid-scale storage.
- Supply Chain Resilience: Australia is rich in minerals and a trusted trading partner with the U.S. This diversifies production away from China, aligning with U.S. and Australian strategic priorities.
- Economic Impact: Creates jobs, fosters technology transfer, and supports $53 billion worth of recoverable resources identified under the bilateral framework 7.
M2i's ecosystem provides partners with access to turnkey solutions, facilitating expanded business opportunities, securing offtake agreements, influencing strategic government policy, engaging with aligned NGOs, and trusted laboratories.
About Next-Gen Energy Technology
Next-Gen Energy Technology is an Australian innovator in advanced cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries, driving breakthroughs in energy storage for EVs and renewable systems.
About Volato Group, Inc. (NYSE:SOAR)
Volato Group, Inc. (NYSE:SOAR) is a technology company focused on building scalable software and data solutions that improve the reliability and intelligence of high-stakes business decisions. The company's Parslee Document Intelligence platform enhances the performance of leading large language models (LLMs) by adding deterministic structure and auditability to complex documents such as contracts and SEC filings. Through its pending acquisition of M2i Global, Volato is expanding into the critical minerals sector—leveraging its software expertise to bring greater transparency, traceability, and operational intelligence to supply chains essential for U.S. national security and advanced technologies. For more information visit: www.flyvolato.com
About M2i Global, Inc. (OTCQB:MTWO): M2i Global, Inc integrates people, technology, and solutions from across sectors to ensure access to critical minerals and metals for national defense and economic security. M2i Global aims to establish a Critical Mineral Reserve, creating a resilient supply chain that addresses the global shortage of essential minerals and metals.
For more information, please visit www.m2i.global
Additional Information about the Proposed Transaction and Where to Find It
This communication relates to a potential transaction (the "Transaction") involving M2i Global and Volato. Volato filed an update to its Form S-4 (the "Registration Statement"), which will include a preliminary proxy statement/prospectus and updated Current Report on Form 8-K with respect to the execution of the definitive agreement, on December 15, 2025. This communication is not a substitute for the Registration Statement, the definitive proxy statement/final prospectus or any other document that Volato or M2i Global has filed or will file with the SEC or send to its shareholders or investors in connection with the potential Transaction. This document does not contain all the information that should be considered concerning the potential Transaction and other matters and is not intended to form the basis for any investment decision or any other decision in respect of such matters.
BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING OR INVESTMENT DECISION, VOLATO'S SHAREHOLDERS AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE AND ANY AMENDMENTS THERETO AND ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED BY VOLATO WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE POTENTIAL TRANSACTION OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE THEREIN IN THEIR ENTIRETY BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING OR INVESTMENT DECISION WITH RESPECT TO THE POTENTIAL TRANSACTION BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE POTENTIAL TRANSACTION AND THE PARTIES TO THE POTENTIAL TRANSACTION.
After the Registration Statement is declared effective, the definitive proxy statement will be mailed to shareholders of Volato as of a record date to be established for voting on the potential Transaction. Additionally, Volato will file other relevant materials with the SEC in connection with the potential Transaction. Copies of the Registration Statement, the definitive proxy statement/final prospectus and all other relevant materials for the potential Transaction filed or that will be filed with the SEC may be obtained, when available, free of charge at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Volato's shareholders may also obtain copies of the definitive proxy statement/prospectus, when available, without charge, by directing a request to Volato at 1954 Airport Road, Suite 124, Chamblee, GA 30341, or by telephone at (844) 399-8998.
Participants in the Solicitation of Proxies
Volato and M2i Global and certain of their respective directors and officers may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from Volato's shareholders in connection with the proposed Transaction. Volato's shareholders and other interested persons may obtain, without charge, more detailed information regarding the names and interests in the proposed Transaction of Volato's directors and officers in Volato's filings with the SEC, including Volato's annual reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Information regarding the persons who may, under SEC rules, be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies to Volato's shareholders in connection with the Transaction and a description of their direct and indirect interests will be included in the definitive proxy statement/prospectus relating to the proposed Transaction when it becomes available. Shareholders, potential investors and other interested persons should read the proxy statement/prospectus carefully before making any voting or investment decisions. You may obtain free copies of these documents from the sources indicated above.
No Offer or Solicitation
This communication is for information purposes only and is not intended to and does not constitute, or form part of, an offer, invitation or the solicitation of an offer or invitation to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, sell or otherwise dispose of any securities, or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction, pursuant to the potential Transaction or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. The potential Transaction is expected to be implemented solely pursuant to the legally binding definitive agreement which will be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K by Volato, and which contains the material terms and conditions of the potential Transaction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or an exemption therefrom.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:
This press release contains certain statements that may be deemed to be forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including the safe harbor provisions under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may be preceded by the words "intends," "may," "will," "plans," "expects," "anticipates," "projects," "predicts," "estimates," "aims," "believes," "hopes," "potential," or similar words or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, are based on certain assumptions and are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of Volato and M2i Global, and cannot be predicted or quantified and consequently, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. More detailed information about Volato and M2i Global and the risk factors that may affect the realization of forward-looking statements is set forth in the their filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including the most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Investors and security holders are urged to read these documents free of charge on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.
All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. Volato and M2i Global undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement or statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement was made, except to the extent required by applicable securities laws.
For Australian Media Contact:
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.next-genet.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/next-gen-energy-technology/
Media Contact:
Diego Rosende – [email protected]
Investor Contacts:
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2www.whitehouse.gov
3www.pm.gov.au
4www.next-genet.com
5OilPrice.com
6www.whitehouse.gov
7www.whitehouse.gov
