International Graphite achieves high-purity milestone for European expandable graphite ambitions
International Graphite (ASX: IG6) has reported pilot-scale purification testwork results exceeding target specifications for International Graphite expandable graphite production, with achieved purity grades ranging from 99.91% to 99.98% against an industry threshold of >99.5%. The announcement, dated 12 February 2026, validates feedstock suitability for the company’s planned European expandable graphite facility strategy.
ALKEEMIA S.p.A is conducting the purification testwork at its specialist graphite laboratories in Port Marghera, near Venice. Initial samples tested were coarse concentrates (80 mesh), with sample +897 achieving 99.93% and 99.91% purity, while sample +895 reached 99.98% purity. The results confirm that International Graphite’s sourced concentrates meet the technical requirements for high-quality expandable graphite production targeting European industrial markets.
The purity breakthrough de-risks the feedstock qualification stage for the company’s European facility ambitions. Meeting these specifications positions International Graphite (ASX: IG6) to access premium-margin product segments within European industrial supply chains, where purity thresholds determine market access and pricing power.
What is expandable graphite and why does purity matter?
Expandable graphite is a specialised form of graphite that expands dramatically when exposed to heat, typically increasing in volume by 100 to 300 times. This unique expansion property makes it valuable across multiple industrial applications, including fire retardant systems, gaskets, seals, and thermal management components for electronics and automotive sectors.
The 99.5% purity threshold represents the industry standard for producing high-quality expandable graphite products. Lower purity grades introduce impurities that compromise expansion characteristics and thermal performance. Achieving consistent purity above this benchmark enables manufacturers to command premium pricing and secure contracts with European industrial customers requiring certified material specifications.
For investors, meeting these purity thresholds translates directly to higher-margin product segments. Expandable graphite can achieve significantly better pricing than standard graphite concentrates, particularly in regulated European markets where quality certification and traceability are mandatory purchasing criteria.
ALKEEMIA partnership secures purification capacity and European foothold
In December 2025, International Graphite signed a non-binding Letter of Intent with ALKEEMIA establishing a two-part arrangement. The agreement covers toll treatment graphite purification services and explores potential business integration to deliver capital and operating efficiencies.
Under the arrangement, International Graphite (ASX: IG6) has been allocated up to 50% of ALKEEMIA’s start-up 200 t/y Industrial Graphite Purification Plant capacity. The company will seek to increase supply volumes as ALKEEMIA’s facility ramps to nameplate processing capacity. ALKEEMIA is targeting phased expansion of its graphite purification capacity, with operations commencing in 2026 and scaling to 20,000 t/y by 2030.
| Milestone | Capacity | IG6 Allocation | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start-up phase | 200 t/y | Up to 50% | 2026 |
| Full scale target | 20,000 t/y | To be confirmed | 2030 |
The toll treatment model reduces capital intensity by avoiding the need for International Graphite to build its own purification infrastructure in the near term. This partnership structure offers integration efficiencies and provides immediate European market access through ALKEEMIA’s established Port Marghera operations. As ALKEEMIA scales capacity over the next four years, International Graphite is positioned to increase its allocation proportionally, supporting the company’s European expansion strategy without substantial upfront capital expenditure.
Feedstock flexibility supports supply chain resilience
International Graphite has sourced coarse and fine graphite concentrates from operating mines across multiple jurisdictions for the purification testwork programme. The company also tested fine graphite concentrates generated from its own Springdale Graphite Project in Western Australia.
This multi-source feedstock strategy reduces single-supplier risk and supports operational flexibility. By demonstrating that concentrates from various origins can meet the >99.5% purification target, International Graphite has validated supply chain optionality. The approach ensures production continuity if any single source experiences operational disruptions or logistical constraints.
Strategic roadmap positions IG6 as a leading non-China graphite producer
International Graphite’s stated ambition is to operate micronising and expandable graphite facilities in both Australia and Europe by 2027, with combined production capacity in excess of 10,000 t/y. This integrated model is characterised by low capital costs, proven technologies, and partnerships with market-leading participants across the graphite supply chain.
The Springdale Graphite Project in Western Australia provides a globally significant deposit with the capacity to deliver decades of secure, low-risk natural graphite concentrate supply to the company’s planned processing facilities. This vertical integration from mine to value-added product positions International Graphite (ASX: IG6) within the western graphite supply chain at a time when European and Australian industrial customers are actively seeking non-Chinese sources.
The company’s strategy reflects broader market trends favouring supply chain diversification. China currently dominates global graphite processing capacity, creating strategic vulnerabilities for western manufacturers in battery, electronics, and industrial sectors. International Graphite’s dual-facility model in Australia and Europe offers customers geographically diversified sourcing options with predictable supply security.
Near-term catalysts to watch
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ALKEEMIA plant commencement in 2026, marking the start of toll treatment purification services.
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Further purification testwork results as additional concentrate samples are processed through ALKEEMIA’s Venice facility.
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Progress updates on European expandable graphite facility development, including site selection, capacity confirmation, and customer offtake discussions.
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Springdale Graphite Project advancement, particularly development studies and permitting milestones supporting long-term feedstock supply.
These milestones provide visibility on execution progress and offer measurable checkpoints for investors assessing International Graphite expandable graphite production strategy. The combination of proven purification results, secured processing capacity allocation, and a clear 2027 production target establishes a defined pathway from technical validation to commercial operations.
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