International Graphite opens pilot processing plant in Western Australia

International Graphite

25/11/2022 03:59

MELBOURNE, Nov 25 (Reuters) - Australia's International
Graphite  IG6.AX  opened a test graphite processing plant in
Western Australia on Friday, as the state moves to add value in
the battery processing chain.
    It comes as Australia seeks to develop its critical minerals
processing industry, with Treasurer Jim Chalmers on Friday
encouraging investment from allies to build up the sector.
    The plant has already produced micronised and spheroidised
graphite, providing proof of concept that Western Australia has
the capacity to produce graphite material for battery anodes, 
the materials developer said in a statement.
    The next step is for it to make products to meet
specifications for international customers, it said.
    "By the end of 2023 we expect to be completing construction
and commissioning of a commercial scale graphite processing
plant," Executive Chairman Phil Hearse said in the statement.
    The plant opening was carried out by Mark McGowan, the
premier of Western Australia, which has invested A$2 million
($1.35 million) in the facility.
    The developer is also setting up a research laboratory that
will have an ultra-high temperature furnace that will be used to
develop a thermal graphite purification process. 
    By 2025, it expects to have developed a fully integrated
battery anode project with feedstock coming from its planned
graphite mine at Springdale on the state's south coast.
    Graphite is a key material used in battery anodes, of which
China is the world's major producer.  
    Purified micronised graphite is used as a conductive
additive to battery cathodes, and other industrial applications,
and well as being an essential step in the production of
purified spheroidised graphite for battery anodes.
($1 = 1.4778 Australian dollars)
 (Reporting by Melanie Burton; Editing by Ana Nicolaci da Costa)
 ((melanie.burton@thomsonreuters.com Twitter: @MelanieMetals;
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