The first sample product has been produced at International Graphite’s new pilot processing plant, at Collie, in Western Australia. The plant is the most advanced pilot scale facility of its type known to be operating in Australia and represents a key step in the company’s roadmap to full-scale commercial production.
The pilot scale graphite micronising and spheroidising equipment – key processes in the production of battery anode material – will be instrumental in building the company’s operating knowledge and establishing its presence in the downstream graphite industry.
Chairman Phil Hearse said: “Our capacity to produce samples shows the industry that we are serious contenders in the development of a vertically integrated graphite business. It also gives us the opportunity to engage with end-customers to really understand their requirements.”
The new Collie facility will be used to inform the design and development of a commercial line of micronised graphite product and operating expertise in graphite product handling and packaging. It will also demonstrate the company’s ability to produce a high quality spheroidised graphite suitable for battery anode material.
Ultimately, International Graphite plans to capture the full value of the graphite supply chain by processing concentrates produced at its Springdale Graphite Project, into high quality battery anode material, at Collie, for export to battery manufacturers worldwide.