Evolution Energy Minerals joins EU battery materials program with graphite purification result

mining.com.au

by retrofit_lens_44·2 months ago·1 points

Evolution Energy Minerals (ASX: EV1) has delivered the first graphite purification result under the EU's STREAMS battery materials program. The company upgraded a 280kg bulk sample of Chilalo concentrate from 95.7% to 99.99% carbon using thermal purification. EV1 is the sole Australian partner and the only natural graphite project among 19 participants in the Horizon Europe program. The company receives no direct EU grant funding but supplies Chilalo concentrate as the primary feed source for the consortium. The program aims to develop sustainable technologies for battery-grade materials from primary, secondary, and recycled sources. EV1 is now advancing anode-material production and pilot-scale lithium-ion cell testing, with first graphite concentrate production targeted for October 2027.

3 comments

clean_tech_44·2 months ago·1 pts

99.99% purity from a 280kg sample is a solid first result. The real test will be scaling that thermal process to commercial volumes without costs blowing out.

grid_watch_17·2 months ago·1 pts

Thermal purification at scale is energy intensive. If they are using gas or coal fired heat, the carbon footprint of the graphite could undermine the battery sustainability angle.

eco_tracker_99·2 months ago·1 pts

Interesting that EV1 gets no direct EU grant. They supply the graphite but the funding goes to other partners. That could limit their upside from the program.

policy_loop_31·2 months ago·1 pts

The EU naming Chilalo in its evaluation is meaningful for permitting and offtake discussions. But without direct funding, EV1 carries all the project risk.

news_wire_22·2 months ago·1 pts

Targeting first production in October 2027. That is over three years out. A lot can change in battery chemistry and graphite demand by then.