As reported in a previous article on International Graphite’s planned Italy processing joint venture, the company continues to advance technical and commercial work with Alkeemia. New test data further validates the purification process and its suitability for battery-grade applications.
The latest program shows that all seven graphite concentrate samples exceeded 99.9% total graphitic carbon, with peak values reaching 99.98%. The samples, sourced from Australia, Africa, and Europe, delivered consistent results across different flake sizes, typically ranging from 99.91% to 99.98%.
These purity levels fall within the upper range required for lithium-ion battery anodes. While graphite generally needs to reach at least 99.5% carbon, 99.9% or higher is typically required for electric vehicle applications. The data therefore confirms that the HF-based process can meet specifications for high-performance battery markets. Consistent results across mixed feedstocks also support the use of third-party material, which is central to the project’s operating model.
The findings feed into the ongoing development of the Porto Marghera facility, where initial capacity is planned at around 200 tonnes per year, with expansion to 20,000 tonnes per year by 2030. Engineering work, commercial negotiations, and discussions with feedstock suppliers and a European sales partner are progressing in parallel.
For European graphite producers, the key takeaway is that battery-grade purity can be achieved using established HF-based processing across a range of feedstocks. This supports a merchant refining model, where concentrate from Africa and other regions can be aggregated and processed in Europe rather than tied to a single mine. As a result, value may increasingly shift toward downstream processing, potentially intensifying competition for available concentrate.
For European buyers, scale remains a critical factor. The initial capacity of around 200 tonnes per year is closer to pilot or qualification volumes, while the longer-term target of 20,000 tonnes per year is more relevant for battery supply chains. Even at that level, it would cover only a small share of European graphite demand—expected to reach hundreds of thousands of tonnes per year—but would add incremental local processing capacity using established methods.
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