International Graphite Ltd (ASX:IG6) earlier this week signed a non-binding Letter of Intent (LOI) with Italian chemicals group Alkeemia, outlining plans to collaborate on graphite purification using Alkeemia’s pilot plant infrastructure in Europe.
The company said the pilot plant will initially process up to 200 tonnes per annum of graphite concentrate, with potential expansion to 1,000 tonnes. Alkeemia will provide toll treatment services, enabling International Graphite to test its materials, including those sourced from the Springdale Graphite project in Western Australia.
Managing Director Andrew Worland told investors the agreement gives the company access to an established purification process without requiring significant capital investment at an early stage. “Getting that level of collaboration, partnership, as well as the capital cost efficiencies, could be just transformational for a development stage company,” he said.
Alkeemia uses high-temperature acid purification, which Worland described as a “bankable” method widely used in the graphite industry. He said purification remains a key hurdle for companies developing natural graphite projects due to its high cost and technical complexity.
The partners will now focus on a test work program over the next three to six months, aimed at generating samples of purified expandable and micronised graphite. Worland said Alkeemia’s strengths include its chemical supply chain access and waste management systems, which enhance its capability as a purification provider.
The collaboration could support International Graphite’s goal of entering the downstream market without incurring the upfront capital costs typically associated with full-scale purification facilities.
The company said it expects early-stage test results to inform potential pathways for commercial-scale processing, with the option to expand the partnership depending on outcomes from the pilot campaign.
Proactive: Welcome back to Proactive Newsroom. I'm now joined by International Graphite Managing Director and CEO Andrew Worland. Welcome back, Andrew.
Andrew Worland: Great to be with you again.
Proactive: Andrew, you've signed a non-binding letter of intent with Italian chemicals group Alkeemia. What services will they be providing?
Andrew Worland: Alkeemia is completing construction of a pilot plant for graphite concentrate processing. The initial scope is 200 tonnes per annum, with plans to expand to 1,000 tonnes. They’re offering toll treatment services to help companies prove up their processes. Alkeemia is one of Europe’s largest producers in this space, and their high-temperature acid purification method is well-established and bankable in the graphite industry. This partnership is a significant step for us as we supply graphite concentrates, including from our Springdale Project.
Proactive: You’ve said this could be a key part of International Graphite’s development strategy. How so?
Andrew Worland: Every graphite producer needs to purify concentrates to reach high-value applications like expandable or micronised graphite, and especially for battery anodes. Purification is one of the most capital-intensive steps in the flow sheet. This partnership could allow us to access that capability without committing early-stage capital. Collaborating with a proven, high-quality partner like Alkeemia could be transformational for a company at our stage.
Proactive: You’re both looking to optimise output. How will this unfold in the coming months?
Andrew Worland: The next step is test work. Alkeemia already has concentrate samples from our Springdale project and from other sources globally. We mentioned in last week’s ASX release that we’re running a test work program for the expandable graphite market. There’s demand for purified expandable and micronised graphite, and Alkeemia brings strong capability through its chemical access and waste management systems. If we can complete a solid 3 to 6 months of test work and get good results from the pilot plant, it could open up significant growth potential for both businesses.
Proactive: It’s early days, but we’ll look forward to seeing how this partnership evolves. Andrew Worland from International Graphite, thank you so much.
Andrew Worland: Thanks very much.