International Graphite has reached a major technical milestone in its downstream development strategy, confirming ultra-high purification results above 99.9% total graphitic carbon (TGC). The results were validated through testwork conducted with Italian partner Alkeemia at specialist facilities in Porto Marghera, supporting efforts to establish a European graphite processing hub amid growing pressure to localise critical raw materials supply chains.
The test program analysed seven graphite concentrate samples from a diversified supply base, including material from the company’s Springdale project in Western Australia, as well as sources from Africa and Europe. All samples exceeded the key 99.9% purity threshold, delivering results between 99.91% and 99.98% TGC. Importantly, this performance was consistent across different flake sizes and geological origins, demonstrating strong process stability. This consistency is crucial in the global graphite supply chain, where purification performance often varies significantly depending on feedstock quality.
Flexible Processing Model Strengthens Commercial Strategy
The ability to achieve stable results across multiple input sources positions the project as more than a traditional mine-linked operation. Instead, it supports the development of a multi-feedstock processing hub capable of toll treatment and third-party material processing. This model improves supply chain resilience and reduces dependency on a single upstream source—an increasingly important factor in the lithium-ion battery materials market.
Alkeemia Technology Enables Battery-Grade Output
At the core of the process is Alkeemia’s hydrofluoric acid (HF) purification technology, one of the few proven industrial methods capable of producing battery-grade graphite at scale.
The latest results confirm that this technology can reliably convert diverse concentrates into ultra-high purity material suitable for:
- Lithium-ion battery anodes
- Expandable graphite applications
- Advanced industrial and energy storage systems
This strengthens the technical foundation for Europe’s emerging battery materials value chain.
European Graphite Processing Hub in Development
International Graphite and Alkeemia are advancing a 51:49 joint venture to build a dedicated graphite processing facility in Italy.
Key planned milestones include:
- Initial capacity of approximately 200 tonnes per year
- Long-term expansion target of up to 20,000 tonnes annually by 2030
- Development of a scalable European purification platform
International Graphite has secured access to up to 50% of initial production capacity, providing early operational visibility while supporting future expansion.
Strengthening Europe’s Critical Raw Materials Independence
The project directly supports Europe’s push to reduce reliance on external supply chains for critical raw materials, particularly graphite, which remains a key bottleneck in EV battery production. By demonstrating consistent ultra-high purity across multiple feedstocks, the project reduces upstream supply risk and enhances regional security of supply. It also opens the door to a toll-processing revenue model, where value is generated through processing third-party material rather than relying solely on mine output.
Growing Demand From Lithium-Ion Battery Industry
Demand for battery-grade graphite in Europe continues to rise, driven by:
- Expansion of electric vehicle production
- Growth in energy storage systems
- Increasing electrification of industrial supply chains
Most global purification capacity remains concentrated outside Europe, making local development strategically important. The results also highlight International Graphite’s transition toward a vertically integrated graphite producer, moving beyond upstream resource development into high-value downstream processing. This strategy aligns with broader industry trends where control over refining and purification is becoming as important as raw material ownership.
Next Phase: Scaling and Commercial Execution
As the project advances, focus will shift to:
- Scaling purification capacity
- Securing long-term feedstock agreements
- Finalising of-take contracts
- Reducing execution and financing risk
The latest test results provide a strong technical foundation for these steps, confirming that the process can consistently deliver >99.9% TGC graphite required for industrial and battery applications.
