International Graphite’s growth strategy has kicked a major goal with the signing of an MOU with leading Italian chemical manufacturer Alkeemia S.p.A., to build an integrated graphite processing facility in Italy.
The proposed joint venture (51% Alkeemia / 49% IG6) will be based at Alkeemia’s established chemical manufacturing complex at Porto Marghera, near Venice, one of Europe’s major industrial centres. The site provides extensive existing infrastructure, integrated chemical supply and operational capability, significantly reducing capital cost, risk and speed to market.
The European Graphite Processing Hub will supply high-purity products to European markets, where demand continues to grow across electrification, energy storage and industrial manufacturing applications. Initial production is targeted at approximately 10,000 tonnes of product per annum.
The project advances International Graphite’s strategy to build cost-competitive, fast-to-market graphite processing capacity in key Western markets. The Company expects to have two processing plants in operation by 2027, at Porto Marghera and in Collie, Western Australia.
IG6 Managing Director and CEO Andrew Worland said the partnership aimed to establish Europe’s premier graphite processing hub to significantly increase domestic production and sovereign supply security.
“Our priority is production and delivery,” Mr Worland said. “We are delighted to consolidate our collaboration with Alkeemia. Their existing infrastructure, chemical platform and highly skilled team will greatly reduce capital cost, execution risk and time to market.”
Alkeemia CEO Lorenzo Di Donato said the collaboration would support the development of a competitive European platform for graphite processing.
“Together with International Graphite, we are establishing a scalable and competitive European platform for high-specification graphite production, enabling greater security of supply for European industry.”
The planned operation will process feedstock sourced from mines and trading houses worldwide.
Read how ALKEEMIA’s innovative onsite graphite purification process is delivering top results.