International Graphite’s 99.9%+ Purity Results Bolster Plans for an Italy Battery-Grade Processing Hub

International Graphite is moving to strengthen Europe’s position in battery materials by demonstrating that its downstream purification process can reliably produce ultra-high-purity graphite—an outcome investors care about because feedstock variability can make or break refining economics. The company says recent testwork validated results above 99.9% total graphitic carbon (TGC), supporting plans for a dedicated processing facility in Italy amid ongoing pressure to localise critical raw materials supply chains.

Purity milestone validated across diverse feedstocks

The company reports that the latest results were validated through testwork conducted with Italian partner Alkeemia at specialist facilities in Porto Marghera. The program analysed seven graphite concentrate samples drawn from a diversified supply base, including material from International Graphite’s Springdale project in Western Australia, as well as sources from Africa and Europe.

All samples exceeded the key 99.9% purity threshold, producing results between 99.91% and 99.98% TGC. International Graphite said the performance was consistent across different flake sizes and geological origins, indicating strong process stability—an important factor in the global graphite purification chain where outcomes can vary significantly depending on feedstock quality.

A multi-feedstock processing model for resilience

International Graphite frames the technical outcome as more than proof of mine-linked production. By showing stable performance across multiple input sources, the project is positioned as a multi-feedstock processing hub that can support toll treatment and third-party material processing.

The company argues this approach improves supply chain resilience by reducing dependency on a single upstream source—an increasingly relevant consideration in the lithium-ion battery materials market, where securing consistent inputs can be as challenging as securing demand.

Alkeemia’s HF purification technology targets battery-grade output

At the center of the process is Alkeemia’s hydrofluoric acid (HF) purification technology, described by International Graphite as one of the few proven industrial methods capable of producing battery-grade graphite at scale. The latest results, according to the company, confirm that diverse concentrates can be converted into ultra-high purity material suitable for lithium-ion battery anodes, expandable graphite applications, and advanced industrial and energy storage systems.

Italy joint venture aims to scale from 200 tonnes to 20,000 tonnes

International Graphite and Alkeemia are advancing a 51:49 joint venture to build a dedicated graphite processing facility in Italy. Planned milestones include an initial capacity of approximately 200 tonnes per year, with a long-term expansion target of up to 20,000 tonnes annually by 2030. The company also points to development of a scalable European purification platform.

International Graphite says it has secured access to up to 50% of initial production capacity, giving early operational visibility while supporting future expansion.

Why local purification matters for Europe’s critical raw materials strategy

The project is intended to support Europe’s efforts to reduce reliance on external supply chains for critical raw materials—particularly graphite, which remains a bottleneck in [[PRRS_LINK_4]]. By demonstrating consistent ultra-high purity across multiple feedstocks, International Graphite says it reduces upstream supply risk and enhances regional security of supply.

The company also highlights potential commercial upside through a toll-processing revenue model, where value is generated through processing third-party material rather than relying solely on mine output.

Next steps focus on scaling and execution risk

As demand for battery-grade graphite rises in Europe—driven by electric vehicle production expansion, growth in energy storage systems, and electrification of industrial supply chains—the company says most global purification capacity remains concentrated outside Europe. It therefore views local development as strategically important.

International Graphite also describes its broader shift toward vertical integration: moving beyond upstream resource development into high-value downstream processing where control over refining and purification becomes increasingly important alongside raw material ownership.

Looking ahead, the company says attention will shift toward scaling purification capacity, securing long-term feedstock agreements, finalising off-take contracts, and reducing execution and financing risk. It adds that the test results provide a technical foundation for delivering consistently >99.9% TGC graphite required for industrial and battery applications.