The debate over suitable graphite grades for lithium-ion batteries on the back of electric vehicle (EV) potential is increasing. Much like the situation for rare earths and lithium, the graphite industry’s ability to supply an EV boom is under the spotlight.
Ready supply, sustainability and production costs will be the critical factors for the success of the graphite based anode, according to Dr Marcello Coluccia of leading European graphite producer Timcal.
“At present EV battery manufacturers are focusing on natural graphite over synthetically made material mainly due to cost reasons,” said Coluccia in an interview with IM. “Today the cost of a natural graphite based anode is generally lower compared to synthetic. However, this could well change if volumes sold into the EV market increase considerably.”
The major problem with producing suitable graphite for EV batteries from natural material is the complexity of processing...