Renascor Resources HF-Free Graphite Purification at Siviour Hits 99.99% Purity for Battery Anodes

Renascor Resources has validated a hydrofluoric acid free method for purifying graphite from its Siviour project in South Australia. The process achieved 99.99% carbon purity in large scale trials, suitable for lithium-ion battery anodes. Operating costs are estimated at roughly US$459 per tonne, which could undercut traditional HF-based methods used outside China. The company is now commissioning a demonstration plant with support from a $5 million Australian federal grant to generate operating data and qualification samples for anode and cell manufacturers. The HF-free approach combines sulfuric acid leaching with a low temperature caustic bake and an integrated water treatment circuit that recycles reagents and limits water use. This eliminates the expensive health, safety, and disposal costs tied to hydrofluoric acid. Renascor aims to build an integrated mine to PSG operation, extending the low cost advantage of Siviour into downstream processing. The demonstration plant will validate engineering parameters and product quality under continuous conditions before a commercial scale build.