Australian exploration company Kibaran Resources is planning to set up a pilot plant in Germany next year, aimed at supplying battery-grade graphite to customers in Europe and Asia.

The development comes after Kibaran completed a feasibility study on downstream processing of graphite from its Epanko graphite project in Tanzania.

The study considered the feasibility of using the company’s purification technology for the production of battery graphite.

Kibaran Resources managing director Andrew Spinks said: “Kibaran is now positioned to commercialise its battery graphite processing plans, commencing with a downstream processing pilot plant early next year and I look forward to updating our shareholders as we progress with this exciting addition to our graphite business.”

“Kibaran is now positioned to commercialise its battery graphite processing plans, commencing with a downstream processing pilot plant early next year.”

The company intends to achieve production of 20,000t of spherical graphite per annum, taking into consideration the anticipated growth in demand from the battery sector from 2020.

Based on the study, the project needs an initial investment of $66m and comprises pre-tax net present value (NPV) of $145m and internal rate of return (IRR) of 34.3%.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

The new graphite manufacturing facility will be implemented in two phases.

Under the first phase, a pilot plant will be established to conduct further testwork on product qualities, improve the new non-hydrofluoric acid purification technology and complete customer pre-qualification processes.

Through the pilot plant, Kibaran aims to produce 600tpa of unpurified battery-grade graphite by the end of next year.

In the second phase, the plant will be expanded with the construction of a full commercial scale operation in 2019 to ramp-up production to 20,000tpa.