Graphite Conference

8:55AM Welcome address and chairperson's opening remarks

9:00AM Executive insight into global production patterns

• What are the predictions for the graphite market as we head into 2021? How do you see the supply/demand balance in the medium term?
• What is your current outlook on graphite market prices going forward?
• How is demand performing in main consuming markets?

9:45AM Graphite's role in the battery market

• What are the recent trends in lithium-ion batteries, and how is this projected to affect graphite demand?
• How does this demand compare with demand from traditional end users?
• Where will graphite for battery supply be sourced going forward? Which regions will mostly influence the supply?
• Have there been any relevant developments in anode chemistry and how could this impact graphite demand?

10:15AM The latest on refractories and raw materials sourcing

• To what extent are European refractories dependent on graphite imports from China and how has China’s new regulations affected sourcing strategies?
• How feasible is it for countries that are import-dependent to turn towards ex-China sources?
• How are evolving performance requirements affecting graphite demand?

11:00AM Networking refreshment break

11:45AM Synthetic vs. natural: the eternal debate

• What is the forecasted demand for each type of graphite from the EV battery industry as well as car manufacturers from 2020 onwards? Can we trust these predictions?
• In what ways are end users increasingly using a combination of both to achieve a more cost efficient product?
• Are there any alternatives on the market to replace graphite in anodes?
• Have there been developments in graphite electrode demand since 2018 with regard to steel production?
• How do you forecast the graphite electrode market to perform in the medium term?

12:30PM Networking lunch break

1:45PM Changing graphite specifications and the impact on pricing trends

• How are prices behaving after an encouraging 2018? What factors contribute to stabilising the market?
• What is the general outlook for supply and demand?
• The latest pricing regimes that are enabling global graphite trade

2:15PM Financing and investing in graphite: a closer look at new supply

• Are projections of oversupply for the next decade accurate?
• How many projects are expected to come online? How much extra capacity does this bring to the market?
• Cost analysis of projects - how are these projects being financed?
• Tipping point: how can miners secure financing in a bearish market?

2:45PM Networking refreshment break

3:15PM Lifting the lid on a new supply of concentrate

• Where is most supply headed?
• How much more graphite will be brought to market? Will demand absorb that?
• In what ways will this influx of material interact with Chinese supply? Could it present possible competition?
• Supplying to China: reverting a historic trend?

3:45PM Success story of a junior miner

• To what extent will graphite output increase in Madagascar by 2020/21?
• In what stage of development are the latest projects coming out of Tanzania?
• How are operations in Mozambique altering flake graphite flows in international trade?
• How effective is the current rate of investment within this region of Africa?

4:15PM End of Day One and networking drinks reception

8:30AM Registration desk opens

9:25AM Chairperson's opening remarks

9:30AM Chinese supply and market evolution

• How is China’s share of the global graphite market evolving?
• Are leading areas of graphite mining within China suffering from depletion and if so how would peripheral areas be able to fill the gap?
• Chinese consumption is increasing, so how are companies reacting to this as well as the environmental regulations that still exist?

10:00AM Emerging Indian graphite supply - who can benefit?

• How much of India’s graphite production is low-grade graphite?
• Will India’s low-cost of labour, technology and infrastructure be enough to become a reliable alternative to Chinese production?
• Do these supplies open up opportunities to new/increasing end users, such as EAFs driven steel production or anode-making capabilities?

10:30AM Networking refreshment break

11:00AM Session VI: Roundtables: where can you capitalize on graphite products?

It doesn’t stop at batteries - our roundtable discussions will cover the latest developments in graphite’s numerous growing and emerging end use markets

Roundtable 1: The latest in graphite electrodes and keeping up with changing alloys

• What’s changed? A deep dive into the projected production patterns of a leading steel mill
• What specifications are electrodes likely to need? Where are steel mills planning on sourcing these?
• Are there currently any materials other than graphite that steel mills are considering using in EAF electrodes?

Mark Shujun Ma Ph.D, Chairman & Ceo, CIMM GROUP CO LTD

Roundtable 2: Expandable graphite:  a growing market?

• What is the market growth for expandable graphite heading into 2020 and beyond?
• How is the construction industry driving the demand for expandable graphite, and in what regions?
• What are the challenges to expandable graphite in terms of available capacity and the procurement of the most suitable of natural graphite?

Roundtable 3: How is graphite faring against the rise of silicon anodes?

• Have there been any recent developments in the use of silicon anodes?
• Which industries would these be relevant for?
• Is it predicted that this will present a tangible commercial threat to the graphite market?

12:00PM Close of conference and networking lunch