Renascor Resources Ltd (ASX:RNU, OTC:RSNUF, FRA:RU8) has started processing graphite through its hydrofluoric acid-free purification flowsheet at its purified spherical graphite (PSG) demonstration plant in Adelaide, marking a key step in the company’s downstream battery materials strategy.
The introduction of graphite and reagents into the integrated purification flowsheet represents the start of processing under operating conditions at the Australian Government co-funded facility.
The program iss designed to demonstrate the production of battery-grade graphite using its HF-free purification process, which aims to meet the purity requirements for lithium-ion battery anodes without the use of hydrofluoric acid.
The current campaign will also support the generation of qualification samples for prospective customers.
Graphite processing at Renascor’s PSG demonstration facility in Adelaide.
Processing milestone
All major process systems at the demonstration plant have now operated with graphite at target operating parameters.
Processing has advanced through the integrated purification flowsheet, including the introduction of reagents in the caustic bake circuit.
Activities are progressing in line with schedule, with the current phase focused on validating the integrated purification flowsheet under operating conditions.
This phase is expected to continue into the next quarter before larger operating runs begin, aimed at generating optimised operating data and larger-scale qualification samples.
Managing director David Christensen said the start of graphite processing through the integrated purification flowsheet was an important milestone for the PSG demonstration plant and Renascor’s broader downstream battery materials strategy.
"For the first time, we are operating the process under production conditions with graphite and reagents, with the objective of demonstrating the production of battery-grade graphite and generating qualification material for prospective customers.
"The demonstration plant was built to validate our HF-free purification process, generate operating data and support customer qualification programs. The activities now underway are an important step in demonstrating that capability and progressing toward commercial-scale production.”
Operation of filter press at Renascor’s PSG demonstration facility in Adelaide.
Downstream PSG facility
Renascor’s PSG demonstration plant forms part of the company’s strategy to establish an integrated Australian mine-to-PSG operation based on graphite from its wholly owned Siviour Graphite Deposit in South Australia.
The plant was constructed with support from a $5 million grant awarded under the Australian Government’s International Partnerships in Critical Minerals Program.
It is designed as a large-scale integrated processing facility capable of continuously processing graphite and producing tonne-scale quantities of battery-grade material.
The facility will help validate the operation of its HF-free purification process at demonstration scale and generate operating data, cost validation and qualification material required to support commercial-scale downstream development.
The HF-free process has the potential to offer a commercially competitive and more environmentally sustainable alternative to conventional purification methods through lower reagent consumption, reagent recycling and reduced environmental handling requirements.
Next steps
Installation contractors have fully demobilised from site, with processing activities now under the control of its operations team.
No safety or environmental incidents have occurred during processing activities.
The company has sufficient graphite feedstock on site to support current processing activities, with additional feedstock already in Australia and expected to be delivered to the demonstration plant for initial operating runs.
Renascor is awaiting final export approvals for further graphite shipments intended to support larger-scale operating campaigns planned for the second half of the year.
The company said these approvals may influence the timing of some activities but were not expected to affect the current processing phase.
About Renascor
Renascor is developing a vertically integrated Battery Anode Material project in South Australia.
The project includes the Siviour Graphite Deposit, a proposed graphite mine and processing operation, and a battery anode material production facility where graphite will be converted to PSG for export to lithium-ion battery anode manufacturers.
Renascor said it had a cash balance of about $95 million as of 30 March 2026 and a conditionally approved $185 million loan facility from the Australian Government’s $4 billion Critical Minerals Facility.