GraphiteHub

Vianode has launched the first high-performance recycled graphite product, marking a major step toward more sustainable EV and battery production. Using recycled battery-grade graphite, this innovation reduces reliance on virgin materials and aligns with North American and European regulations promoting domestic supply chains. https://lnkd.in/ejZ2KC32

The U.S. Department of Commerce has postponed its preliminary determination in the countervailing duty (CVD) investigation into Chinese graphite-based anode material imports. Originally set for March 13, 2025, the ruling has been delayed to May 19, 2025, following a request from the American Active Anode Material Producers (AAAMP) for more time for U.S. trade authorities to analyse responses. https://lnkd.in/eNkjmGQf

If graphite prices were to rise 10x, battery pack costs could jump 45%, putting huge pressure on the EV supply chain. Graphite’s importance is often overlooked, yet it has the potential to send battery costs soaring. In February, petroleum coke (a key feedstock for synthetic graphite) rose 68% due to supply shortages and policy shifts. This cost pressure has coincided with the first increase in spherical graphite prices since March 2022. Are we starting to see the first signs of a graphite market recovery?

🔋 Graphite Market Weekly Update: Highlights from March 10 - March 14, 2025 📈 Explore this week’s key events in the graphite industry, from company updates and share price movements to broader trends in the EV market.

Fastmarkets Metals and Mining latest Battery Raw Materials Market Update highlights a 68% surge in green petroleum coke prices, driven by supply shortages, reduced US imports, and refinery shutdowns in China. In response, spherical graphite prices have risen for the first time since 2022, increasing cost pressures on Chinese anode producers. https://lnkd.in/eVuUJ9ie

Australia 🇦🇺 is emerging as a key player in the graphite industry, with several projects positioning the country as a competitive hub for non-Chinese supply. “Australia is expected to become a new hub for flake graphite supply,” says Benchmark Mineral Intelligence analyst Camila Cardili, with production costs forecast to be competitive among non-Chinese producers. Developments in South Australia, the Northern Territory, and Western Australia - led by companies like Renascor Resources Limited, Kingsland Minerals Limited (ASX:KNG) and International Graphite (ASX:IG6) - are putting Australia on the map as a potential graphite powerhouse. https://lnkd.in/eekC2n7V

A new Reuters report suggests the U.S. government may establish critical mineral refining facilities on Pentagon-controlled land—a move aimed at reducing reliance on China for mineral processing. On the surface, this could be a game-changer, addressing one of the biggest hurdles for domestic production: the lack of non-China processing capacity. But dig a little deeper, and the challenges pile up quickly. 💡 Who actually runs these operations? Is the Pentagon just leasing land to private companies, or is the government stepping into the role of industrial operator? History offers a cautionary tale—Truman’s attempt to nationalize the steel industry in 1952 ended in disaster. Government-run processing facilities are unlikely to be as efficient, innovative, or scalable as private sector solutions. 💡 Where does the IP come from? Much of the processing know-how, particularly for niche materials with rigorous quality and qualification standards, resides in China. Who fills that gap? Will emerging US technologies step in to offer licenses to the USG? 💡 Who offtakes the material? The U.S. government isn’t a major buyer, and stockpiles are limited. Without a clear end-market, this effort risks becoming stranded capacity. 💡 Who finances these operations? Refineries are capital-intensive—are private investors coming in, or will this be government-funded (and if so, for how long)? 💡 How far down the value chain does this go? Does this effort stop at refining, or does it extend to magnet, cathode, anode, and alloy production? Without a full supply chain, are we just shifting the bottleneck downstream? How does this compete with emerging private sector solutions? We absolutely need more non-China refining capacity. But the solution must be market-driven and commercially viable—not a rushed government workaround. The Pentagon’s involvement could be an enabler or a massive bureaucratic detour. The details will determine which. Would love to hear industry perspectives—does this solve a problem or create new ones? https://lnkd.in/dA-aDqRf #CriticalMinerals #Mining #EnergySecurity #SupplyChain #Manufacturing

Could a US-Ukraine minerals deal bring Zavallya’s graphite quarry back to life? https://lnkd.in/e-ckwRqM

Last week, we asked when graphite prices might start to recover. The responses highlight just how uncertain the market outlook remains, with the majority saying it’s still too early to tell. With sentiment still weak and price pressures persisting, what factors do you think will drive the next upturn? This week, we should hear the ITC's preliminary determination for the Countervailing Duty (CVD) investigation on March 13. This could provide further insights into how trade measures might impact the market.

🔋 Graphite Market Weekly Update: Highlights from March 3 - March 7, 2025 📈 Explore this week’s key events in the graphite industry, from company updates and share price movements to broader trends in the EV market.