Our partners BatteryLimits have completed the Definitive Feasibility Study (±15% accuracy) for IG’s planned micronising and foils plant, in Western Australia.

The new facility, to be located at Collie in the State’s South-West, will produce high purity micronised graphite powder as a conductive additive for battery cathodes and specialist lubricants, as well as producing high purity foil for electronic thermal conductivity and sealant applications.

International Graphite Chairman Phil Hearse said he was delighted with the findings of the expert study which pointed to the strong returns investors could expect from the Collie plant.

“The study findings underpin our confidence and show we are on track to deliver a robust first project in Collie, with a low capital cost and fast-to-market products that we expect to deliver revenue within 12 months of operations starting,” he said.

“We are now looking at optimising this project while we progress to the next phase which is the development of advanced battery anode materials.”

In the next stage of development, IG plans to expand the graphite foil facility for hi-tech uses, including mobile phones, computer applications and high-pressure sealants, and to supply expandable graphite for fire-retardant building materials.

BatteryLimits is a specialist process engineering consultancy and has been an expert adviser to the graphite industry for more than 10 years, playing a key role in the design and development of Australian-funded graphite ventures.