International Graphite Limited (IG6) has partnered with Italian chemical giant ALKEEMIA to establish a cutting-edge graphite processing facility in Italy, targeting production by late 2027. This joint venture aims to secure Europe's graphite supply chain amid rising demand and regulatory pressures.
- Memorandum of Understanding signed for JV in Italy with 51% ALKEEMIA, 49% IG6 ownership
- Facility to produce ~10,000 tonnes of processed graphite annually starting late 2027
- Leverages ALKEEMIA’s existing chemical infrastructure and proprietary purification technology
- JV targets binding agreements by May 2026 and final investment decision by June 2026
- Addresses EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act goal for domestic processing of strategic minerals
Strategic Partnership for European Graphite Supply
International Graphite Limited (ASX:IG6) has taken a significant step towards expanding its global footprint by entering into a Memorandum of Understanding with ALKEEMIA S.p.A., a leading Italian chemical manufacturer. The two companies plan to establish a joint venture graphite processing facility at ALKEEMIA’s Porto Marghera chemical complex near Venice, one of Europe’s key industrial hubs.
This collaboration is designed to tap into the growing European demand for secure, domestically processed graphite, a critical raw material essential for industries ranging from energy storage to electromobility. The joint venture will be structured with ALKEEMIA holding a 51% stake and IG6 49%, sharing profits equally.
Leveraging Established Infrastructure and Expertise
What sets this JV apart is its strategic use of ALKEEMIA’s fully permitted chemical manufacturing site, which offers significant advantages in reducing capital expenditure and accelerating time to market. ALKEEMIA will provide the site, skilled workforce, infrastructure, reagent supply, and proprietary graphite purification technology, while IG6 will fund the plant and equipment and contribute downstream graphite intellectual property.
The facility aims to produce approximately 10,000 tonnes of high-specification graphite products annually from late 2027, with potential for expansion. This production capacity will help reduce Europe’s reliance on imported graphite, predominantly sourced from China, aligning with the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act that mandates 40% of strategic raw materials be processed within the EU by 2030.
Progress and Outlook
The partnership builds on prior successful collaborations, including pilot-scale purification tests achieving over 99.9% carbon purity and an existing tolling arrangement for graphite purification services. Binding joint venture agreements are targeted for execution by the end of May 2026, with a final investment decision expected by June 2026, pending detailed technical and economic analyses.
International Graphite’s Managing Director Andrew Worland highlighted the competitive edge this JV offers, citing reduced capital intensity and execution risk thanks to ALKEEMIA’s established platform. Meanwhile, ALKEEMIA’s CEO Lorenzo Di Donato emphasised the company’s ambition to expand beyond hydrofluoric acid production into advanced materials critical for the energy transition.
As Europe intensifies efforts to secure critical mineral supply chains, this joint venture positions IG6 and ALKEEMIA at the forefront of a strategically important market segment, potentially setting a benchmark for future graphite processing initiatives on the continent.
Bottom Line?
This JV marks a pivotal move for IG6 and ALKEEMIA, promising to reshape Europe's graphite supply landscape as binding agreements and investment decisions loom.
Questions in the middle?
- What will be the detailed economics and capital requirements of the joint venture once finalized?
- How will the JV navigate potential supply chain risks for graphite concentrates and reagents?
- What are the prospects for expanding production capacity beyond the initial 10,000 tonnes per year?