International Graphite Ltd (ASX:IG6) has entered into a non-binding letter of intent (LOI) with Italian chemicals group Alkeemia S.p.A for toll treatment graphite purification services.
Alkeemia, one of Europe’s largest producers of hydrofluoric acid and fluoroderivatives from its Port Marghera operations in Venice, plans to bring a 200 t/y industrial graphite purification plant online in Q1 2026.
Under the LOI, International Graphite has been allocated up to 50% of the plant’s start-up processing capacity, with scope to increase volumes as Alkeemia ramps up towards nameplate capacity. Alkeemia is targeting a staged expansion of its graphite purification capacity to 20,000 t/y by 2030.
International Graphite managing director and CEO Andrew Worland said the proposed partnership could play a significant role in the company’s development strategy, particularly around access to European graphite purification capacity.
“High-purity graphite is critical to accessing higher-value micronised and expandable graphite products and essential for anode supply,” he said.
“Access to commercial toll treatment services would remove considerable capital expenditure and operational risk as we scale our operations and product suite.”
The parties are also assessing options for deeper integration of their businesses with the aim of improving capital efficiency and reducing operating costs across future purification and downstream activities.
International Graphite outlines strong early economics for German expandable graphite plant
Last week, IG6 issued first guidance for its expandable graphite plant in Germany, indicating solid early-stage economics and steady project progress.
The facility is expected to cost just over €6.00 million, produce about 4,200 tonnes of expandable graphite per year and deliver a pre-tax NPV above AU$100.00 million over 25 years, with an estimated 18-month payback once at full capacity.
Ongoing testwork in Europe on 6 different graphite concentrates, including Springdale material, is informing flowsheet design, IP licensing and commercialisation.
In parallel, the company is advancing product marketing in Europe, finalising land and logistics at Midfield Chemical Park, and expects feasibility and technical studies to continue for 3–6 months before moving to funding and construction planning.