Collie-based International Graphite finalises funding requirements to take next step in vertical processing

Collie-based company International Graphite has finalised the requirements of a multimillion-dollar agreement with the State Government, marking the next step in establishing graphite processing in the South West town.

The company made the announcement to the Australian Securities Exchange on Tuesday, saying the work finalises the requirements of the $2 million grant from the Collie Futures Industry Development Fund.

The WA Government’s Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation awarded the grant to International Graphite in July 2021 to establish a downstream graphite processing plant in Collie.

Tuesday’s announcement formalises the grant agreement, paving the way for the the State’ first-ever vertically integrated graphite refinery — a project expected to create 40 full-time jobs for local workers when the plant is fully operational.

Executive chairman Phil Hearse said the agreement was key to establishing a new industry for WA and creating new jobs in Collie.

“Graphite is critical for global decarbonisation and we are proud to be partnering with the WA Government in Collie to establish a new sovereign supply for Australia and a new global source for international battery manufacturers as they source raw materials needed to achieve the exceptional forecast growth in battery demand,” Mr Hearse said.

International Graphite recently commissioned its pilot plant in Collie, the company setting its sights on developing a 1000-tonne-per-year commercial graphite micronising and spheroidising battery anode material plant in the town.

In May, the company signed a lease on a new building that was to become the hub for the company’s research and development activities including pilot-testing graphite concentrates and spheroidising graphite for battery anode material applications.

The 432sqm building will help them on their way to becoming the only WA company that does not have to import raw graphite from interstate or overseas.

International Graphite made a stong ASX debut in April, after a $10 million initial public offering in March.