International Graphite Limited and Italian chemical producer Alkeemia have formalised a joint venture to develop a major graphite processing facility in Porto Marghera, Italy, targeting 15,000 tonnes per year by 2029 with first production expected in 2027.
- JV targets initial 10,000t/y graphite production in 2027
- Facility expansion to ~15,000t/y planned within three years
- Alkeemia holds 51% JV ownership, IG6 holds 49% with equal profit share
- Construction to start Q3 2026 pending final investment decision
- JV leverages Alkeemia’s industrial platform and proprietary purification technology
Strategic Joint Venture to Secure European Graphite Supply
International Graphite Limited (ASX:IG6) and Alkeemia S.p.A. have sealed a binding joint venture agreement to establish what could become one of Europe’s largest graphite processing hubs at Alkeemia’s Porto Marghera facility near Venice. The JV aims to produce an initial 10,000 tonnes per year of high-spec industrial graphite, scaling up to approximately 15,000 tonnes annually within three years. Construction is slated to begin in the third quarter of 2026, with first production targeted for the second half of 2027, subject to a final investment decision.
Leveraging Industrial Ecosystem and Proprietary Technology
Alkeemia brings to the table a tier-one industrial platform, complete with permitting, warehousing, graphite laboratories, control rooms, waste management systems, and critical port and rail infrastructure. This established chemical ecosystem is expected to deliver capital-efficient and low-operating-cost graphite processing. IG6, holding 49% of the JV with Alkeemia owning 51%, will provide the capital expenditure necessary for the initial 10,000t/y production capacity, with plans to fund expansion through JV operations. The partners will share profits equally despite the ownership split.
The partnership capitalises on Alkeemia’s advanced graphite purification technology, developed alongside its leading position in hydrofluoric acid production, creating a vertically integrated midstream graphite processing platform. This approach aims to enhance Europe’s critical minerals autonomy by reducing reliance on external supply chains and boosting local production capabilities.
Governance and Funding Pathways
The JV will be governed by a four-person board, equally represented by IG6 and Alkeemia, with chairmanship rotating annually. Operational management will be handled by Alkeemia, which will supply labour and services including health and safety, logistics, and laboratory operations. Funding efforts are underway, targeting project finance, EU critical minerals funding programs, and cornerstone equity investors to support the capital costs of the initial facility.
This development builds on IG6’s processing-first strategy, which already targets a combined production capacity of approximately 20,000 tonnes per year across Western Australia and Europe. The JV’s rapid timeline and integration with Alkeemia’s industrial base position it well to respond to Europe’s increasing demand for secure, sustainable, and high-purity graphite supply, a critical raw material for battery and energy transition technologies.
Technical Validation and Market Engagement
Recent pilot-scale testwork has validated graphite purification exceeding 99.9% total graphitic carbon, reinforcing the JV’s technical foundation. The partners have already begun engaging tier-one trading groups and customers to assess product specifications ahead of production. IG6’s technical team is localising extensive processing data and design criteria to the Porto Marghera site to finalise capital and operating cost estimates, supporting the upcoming final investment decision.
These efforts follow a series of milestones including IG6’s development approval for its Collie Micronising Facility in Western Australia and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Alkeemia earlier in the year, confirming the trajectory toward establishing a European graphite processing hub. The JV’s formation and planned ramp-up reflect a broader push to secure critical mineral supply chains within Europe amid global geopolitical and regulatory pressures IG6 and ALKEEMIA Forge JV and IG6 and ALKEEMIA Confirm Ultra-High Purity.
Bottom Line?
The JV’s success hinges on securing final investment and funding, with its rapid timeline poised to reshape Europe’s graphite supply landscape if executed as planned.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the JV secure project finance and EU funding in time to meet its aggressive construction schedule?
- How will evolving EU regulations on critical raw materials impact the JV’s market access and competitiveness?
- What are the risks around scaling purification technology from pilot to commercial volumes at Porto Marghera?