International Graphite Ltd (ASX:IG6) strengthened its global supply chain ambitions in the September quarter, progressing plans for new processing facilities in Germany and Western Australia alongside expanded international funding and government engagement.
International Graphite’s footprint for building a global graphite business.
Quarterly highlights
- European expansion: Agreement signed with Arctic Graphite AS to develop a new expandable graphite facility in Germany targeting 3,000 tonnes per year production.
- Funding support: Arctic shareholder Graphite Investment Partners LLC has committed to arranging at least half of the €5 million capital cost in non-dilutive funding and issued a letter of interest for up to $10 million in financing.
- Technology secured: Proven processing IP and technology licensed for use in the German plant’s feasibility study and commercial operations.
- Collie progress: Three industrial lots secured in Collie, Western Australia, with development applications lodged for the micronising facility.
- Strategic investment: Up to $3 million in funding secured from US-based Pioneer Resource Partners LLC.
- Critical minerals recognition: Participation in Austrade’s US delegation and signing of the Australia–US Critical Minerals Framework in October reinforced graphite’s strategic importance.
Managing director and CEO Andrew Worland said the company’s international expansion and progress at Collie positioned it to play a pivotal role in diversified graphite supply chains as the US and its allies seek alternatives to Chinese production.
“The United States imports almost all of its graphite from China and has few prospects for domestic production, which leaves its defence and energy sectors highly exposed to geopolitical risk,” Worland said, noting that the delegation’s visit “confirmed Australia as a premier jurisdiction outside North America for critical minerals investment”.
“These discussions support our growth strategy, which is firmly focused on delivering two process plants by 2027,” he added. “We are using proven and established processing technologies and partnering with high-profile industry leaders to expedite our success and designing facilities that are geared for expansion and ready to accept Springdale feedstock.”
European joint venture advances
The company’s international growth strategy accelerated during the quarter, with a cooperation agreement finalised in July with Arctic Graphite AS to develop an expandable graphite plant in Germany. Each party will hold a 50% stake in the new venture.
Proposed project location in Germany
Arctic’s shareholders include Norwegian construction and mining group LNS, the former owner and operator of the Skaland graphite mine — Europe’s largest natural flake producer.
The new facility will target production of around 3,000 tonnes per annum at an estimated capital cost of €5 million, with operations expected to begin in 2027.
Subsequent to quarter end, International Graphite secured technology licensing and IP agreements for processing and commenced test work on various feedstocks to inform process design and product specifications.
The Bitterfeld industrial precinct in Germany has been endorsed as the preferred project location.
Collie processing hub development
At the same time, construction planning advanced at the Collie Micronising Facility, the first commercial graphite micronising plant in Australia.
Collie micronising equipment inspections
International Graphite executed a land sale contract for about 6,000 square metres across three lots in the Collie Light Industrial Area, with development and power applications lodged.
Detailed design is being finalised by Western Australian contractor ProsserBuilt, while the facility will initially process third-party feedstock before transitioning to material from the company’s Springdale Graphite Project.
The micronising plant will target output of up to 7,500 tonnes of graphite powders per year, supported by $12.5 million in state government grants for Collie and Springdale.
Collie micronising equipment inspections
Corporate and strategic outlook
At quarter end, the company held $900,000 in cash, bolstered in October by the first $800,000 tranche of investment from Pioneer Resource Partners. About $10.5 million in Western Australian Government grants remain available to support project development.
During the period, major shareholder Comet Resources Ltd sold 27.5 million shares, using proceeds to repay $1.125 million owed to International Graphite, and director Matthew O’Kane resigned from the board.
Worland represented the company in Austrade’s critical minerals delegation to Washington DC, engaging with US government and industry leaders on graphite supply chain development. He also presented at IMARC 2025 in Sydney in October, where graphite featured prominently in critical minerals discussions.
Left: Andrew Worland takes to the podium; Right: Andrew Worland (L) is interviewed by The Graphite Hub.
What’s next
International Graphite’s integrated mine-to-market strategy aims to establish a vertically aligned graphite supply chain anchored by the Springdale mine in Western Australia and complemented by its Collie and German processing operations.
The company said feasibility studies and partnerships under way would underpin its goal of delivering up to 10,000 tonnes per annum of graphite products across its European and Australian facilities by 2027.