International Graphite to fire up battery graphite pilot line

International Graphite has completed installation of pilot scale graphite micronising and spheroidising equipment at its Collie downstream processing facility, 200 kilometres south of Perth.

The company told investors that the pilot facilities are now ready for commissioning at Collie, the former centre of lignite mining in WA.

The equipment installation marks a critical step in the company’s push to become a producer and global supplier of high quality spheroidised graphite products, suitable for battery anode material (BAM.)

Executive Chairman Phil Hearse said: “This development – which comes only four months after our successful IPO, is a testament to the extensive work the IG6 team did in the years prior to and since our IPO.”

Wet commissioning will be undertaken using imported fine flaked graphite concentrate that is on site ready to be processed.

The plant will be used to support the development and design of a commercial line of micronised graphite product handling and packaging, and develop operating expertise.

International graphite has appointed advisers in Germany and the United States, where products samples will be offered to the market and industry for evaluation.

The pilot plant will establish the company’s presence in the marketplace, build operating expertise in graphite product, and assist in the development of a process for the purification of graphite concentrates.

“With governments focused on establishing supply chains for critical minerals, such as battery grade graphite, including the recent announcement by the WA government of approximately $660 million investment into the Collie region to support such endeavours, we look forward to continuing to deliver milestones.”

International graphite will receive $2 million in grants from the Western Australian state government’s Collie Futures Industry Developmenmt Fund to support future micronising production facilities.

A purification furnace has been delivered to the company’s site and will be installed following the assessment of micronised products and processes.

Picture: International Graphite

Subscribe to our free @AuManufacturing newsletter here.