EcoGraf Ltd (ASX:EGR, OTCQX:ECGFF) has signed a cooperation agreement with the European Investment Bank (EIB) covering technical assistance to help progress the company’s vertically integrated HFfree graphite business in the critical raw materials (CRM) sector.
Under the agreement, the EIB will provide technical assistance across a defined package of workstreams, including support for:
- EcoGraf’s planned Epanko Project expansion study in Tanzania
- the company’s Midstream Mechanical Shaping Facility in Tanzania
- services aimed at enabling integration of Epanko into the EU battery anode value chain
“We are excited to partner with the EIB and work together in various strategic initiatives to develop reliable and sustainable supply chains for critical raw materials,” EcoGraf managing director, Andrew Spinks, said.
“The EIB is pleased to support preparatory work that contributes to the development of responsible critical raw material value chains. This will spur potential public and private sector eligible investments that will allow for long-term, sound and sustainable projects to be implemented at a later stage. This cooperation reflects our commitment to fostering win-win partnerships with European and African partners, supporting resilient supply chains,” said EIB Director for Corporates and Global Activities, Andrea Clerici.
Funding source and policy alignment
EcoGraf said the technical assistance activities are funded under the “EU–OACPS Technical Assistance Facility on Critical Raw Materials”, which supports initiatives aligned with the EIB’s CRM strategic initiative and the European Union’s Critical Raw Materials Act.
The agreement follows an EIB site visit in June 2025 and subsequent meetings in Brussels, where EcoGraf presented its vertically integrated graphite plans at an EU Priority Projects Showcase held as part of EU Critical Raw Materials Facility policy initiatives.
EcoGraf said the EU recognises Epanko as a key development for establishing new, long-term and sustainable battery minerals supply chains for European industry.
Strategic Project status encouraged
EcoGraf also said it was encouraged to apply for Strategic Project status under the Critical Raw Materials Act, covering both its upstream and downstream developments.
The company said securing Strategic Project status is expected to strengthen its aim of contributing to the transition to a cleaner environment through a vertically integrated battery anode materials business.
About EcoGraf
EcoGraf is developing a vertically integrated battery anode materials business targeting the lithium-ion battery and advanced manufacturing markets, focused on producing high-purity graphite products.
The company says it has invested more than US$30 million to date to progress its graphite platform, which includes:
- the Epanko graphite mine in Tanzania
- a planned mechanical shaping facility in Tanzania
- EcoGraf HFfree® purification facilities intended to be located close to electric vehicle, battery and anode manufacturers
- EcoGraf HFfree® purification technology to support battery anode recycling
Tanzania upstream and flake graphite strategy
In Tanzania, EcoGraf is advancing its TanzGraphite natural flake graphite business, starting with the Epanko Graphite Project. The company is targeting a long-term, scalable supply of feedstock for EcoGraf’s battery anode material processing facilities, alongside large-flake graphite products aimed at specialised industrial applications.
Mechanical shaping and spherical graphite pathway
EcoGraf is also planning a mechanical shaping facility in Tanzania to convert natural flake graphite into spherical graphite (SpG). The company describes micronising and spheronising as the first step in converting high-quality flake graphite concentrate into battery-grade anode material used in lithium-ion batteries.
HFfree purification and target specifications
Using its EcoGraf HFfree® purification technology, EcoGraf plans to upgrade SpG into high-performance battery anode material, targeting 99.95% carbon (C). The company intends to supply electric vehicle, battery and anode manufacturers across Asia, Europe and North America.
Recycling application
EcoGraf says battery recycling is central to improving supply chain sustainability, and that its HFfree® purification process has been successfully applied to recycle battery anode material. The company says this provides an ability to help customers reduce CO2 emissions and lower battery costs.