International Graphite cooks up first product from pilot plant at Collie

The pilot-scale graphite micronising and spheroidising equipment – key processes in the production of battery anode material – have been commissioned.

“This is a major step in developing our operating knowledge and systems in the graphite downstream processing industry, leading to building a team that will understand the operational needs of graphite processing,” International Graphite (ASX:IG6) executive chairman Phil Hearse says.

“It gives us further credibility in the global graphite market, provides the opportunity to engage with end-users, and shows the industry that we are serious contenders in development of our vertically integrated graphite business.”

First stage to full-scale production

International Graphite’s pilot plant is the most advanced and largest known facility of its type in Australia.

It also marks the first stage in the company’s roadmap to full-scale commercial production, which consists of two specialised machines used to size and shape graphite concentrates as well as a feed system, rotary separator, air classifier and cartridge filter driven by an exhaust fan.

In the future, the company’s planned downstream graphite operations aim to process graphite concentrates from its Springdale Graphite Project, near Hopetoun – 25km south of Ravensthorpe in Western Australia.

The micronised and spheroidised graphite product will then be purified and is also planned to be coated to produce a finished BAM product suitable for the manufacture of Li-ion battery anodes.

Production of a coated BAM product in Australia for export to anode manufacturers would capture the full value chain of BAM material.

Micronising operational in second half of 2023

International Graphite will continue operating the Collie pilot facilities to refine operating systems and material handling capability.

As it stands, the micronising plant will be operational in the second half of 2023 and will treat third party concentrates while finished products will be sold as a conductive additive to battery cathodes and other industrial applications, or as an intermediate product used in the production of spheroidised purified graphite.

This article was developed in collaboration with International Graphite, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.