Tirupati Graphite PLC (LON:TGR) updated the market on its speciality graphite downstream operations in India, where it is developing a suite of speciality graphite for use in hi-tech applications like lithium-ion batteries, fire retardants, thermal management, and composites.
The group increased sales of trademarked expandable graphite products, CarboflameX and GrafEN 45545, to customers in Europe and secured the first-stage commercial trial orders with several bulk consumers and others evaluating samples.
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The specialist graphite producer and graphene and advanced materials developer said there was particular interest from customers in the UK given the changing policies in flame retardancy requirements.
It also allotted additional land in Patalganga, which starts the construction of a dedicated product development facility using the company's suite of speciality graphite materials.
Various work streams are ongoing towards constructing the first module of the 15,000 tonnes per annum (tpa) downstream specialty graphite project to enhance capacity from 1,200 tpa to 16,200 tpa by the first half of 2022.
It is also engaging with lithium-ion battery and electric vehicles sector players in Europe and Asia and advancing plans to expand into North America for upcoming spherical graphite production.
"We are delighted to have received our first commercial trial orders for our trademarked flame retardant products and to see the extent of traction we have generated from buyers in EU and the UK since receiving REACH certification,” said chief executive Shishir Poddar.
“This is in line with the trend for businesses and end users to increasingly support green technology engineering and research that reinforce global resilience and sustainability. Tirupati is at an exciting stage in its genesis as we expedite development of this high-growth, downstream, speciality graphite division and establish markets for our forthcoming large-scale manufacturing facilities for speciality graphite."