Technology & Capabilities
Technology Innovation
Penncara Energy is transforming how critical materials are made with Penn Pitch™, a synthetic pitch created from U.S.-mined coal using breakthrough technology developed at West Virginia University. Unlike traditional petroleum-based or overseas sources, Penn Pitch™ brings production back to the U.S., strengthening supply chains for industries like batteries, aerospace, and semiconductors.
With electric vehicle and defense sectors demanding more graphite and carbon fiber, Penncara steps in with a proven, scalable, and environmentally responsible process that bypasses outdated steel infrastructure. Backed by support from the Department of Energy and successful real-world tests, Penn Pitch™ is ready to deliver reliable performance while helping revitalize coal regions with new jobs and innovation.
Plus, with tailored pitch specs and long-term agreements, we offer customers secure feedstock, pricing stability, and smooth integration into graphite supply chains, helping the U.S. stay competitive in global carbon markets.
Objectives and Challenges
Penncara Energy is working to take Penn Pitch™ from the lab to full commercial-scale production, replacing imported pitch with a reliable, made-in-America solution for the carbon and graphite industries. The first major step is completing the Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) for a launch facility in Elk County, Pennsylvania, a key hub for graphite manufacturing.
Backed by the Department of Energy and built on breakthrough work from West Virginia University, Penn Pitch™ has already proven itself in lab settings and real-world steel mill tests. The challenge now is scaling it up, refining the process, engineering the plant, and building out financial models for deployment.
Next-phase R&D will fine-tune Penn Pitch’s™ properties for specific industrial uses, like binders, anodes, and carbon fiber. It will be done alongside academic partners and future customers. This includes tailoring performance traits such as conductivity, density, and ash content while staying ahead of environmental standards.
Market Opportunity
The U.S. carbon and graphite industry powers key sectors like semiconductors, EVs, defense systems, and advanced manufacturing, yet over 80% of global pitch supply is concentrated in Asia, with 65% from China. Despite consuming nearly 35% of global pitch, the U.S. produces only about 3%, leaving domestic supply chains vulnerable.
Penncara Energy’s Penn Pitch™ changes that. By creating synthetic pitch directly from U.S.-mined coal, Penncara offers a new, independent supply path—free from petroleum and coke-based imports. With pitch essential to graphite applications like molded components, carbon composites, fibers, and powders, demand is growing fast.
Penn Pitch™ isn’t just filling a gap, it’s leading a shift. From customizable performance and tariff-proof sourcing to long-term supply agreements and strategic alignment with DOE and DOD goals, Penncara brings innovation, reliability, and manufacturing strength back home.