EcoGraf Limited (ASX: EGR) has received positive results from a now completed comparative independent benchmarking study of the EcoGraf HFfree proprietary purification process.
EcoGraf HFfree is alternative purification process routes for the purification of natural spherical graphite in manufacturing of lithium-ion battery anode material.
Key findings:
- Confirms EcoGraf HFfree purification process comparative advantages for the lithium-ion battery market
- Commercial development further de-risked through extensive customer product qualification and Product Qualification Facility (PQF)
- New raw material demand for graphite in North America and Europe expected to increase significantly from 2026
The benchmarking evaluation program was conducted for the company by a global engineering and construction consultancy and involved a rigorous assessment of industry purification processes, capital and operating costs and associated risks, located in United States (US).
Study factors, including process design and economic efficiency were used to assess the feasibility of alternative purification methods and confirmed the technical and economic advantages of the EcoGraf HFfree purification process versus alternative processes. The results of the benchmarking cost comparison is shown below, per tonne of graphite processed.
Alternative purification process routes benchmarked included high temperature chlorination, ultra- high temperature and hydrofluoric-hydrochloric (HF-HCL).
The capital intensity is based on a production capacity of 25,000tpa which is the size of that plant design and engineering undertaken by EcoGraf for its planned initial commercial scale facility.
Managing Director, Andrew Spinks, said the results of the benchmarking study are highly encouraging in confirming the efficiency of the company’s US patented proprietary purification process and build on the recent outstanding technical results of EcoGraf HFfree proprietary, purification achieving ultra-high purity 4N 99.99% carbon.
The company is currently completing development of a Product Qualification Facility (PQF) to provide lithium-ion battery market customers with larger quantities of its high-purity, low emission battery anode material product using the EcoGraf HFfree processing technology.
