InVert Graphite has completed the acquisition of RapidGraphite, gaining exclusive rights to the RapidPulse™ technology, and raised A$2.5 million to fund scale-up trials aimed at transforming battery-grade graphite production.
- Acquisition of RapidGraphite now unconditional
- Exclusive licence to RapidPulse™ technology secured
- A$2.5 million placement completed to fund scale-up
- RapidPulse™ offers rapid, acid-free graphite processing
- Integration with Morogoro Project advances vertical supply chain
Acquisition Finalised and Placement Closed
InVert Graphite Limited (ASX:IVG) has crossed a significant milestone by completing the acquisition of RapidGraphite Pty Ltd, securing exclusive, royalty-free worldwide rights to the RapidPulse™ technology. All conditions precedent for the deal have been satisfied or waived, with administrative completion expected imminently on 20 August 2026. Simultaneously, InVert has closed a strongly supported placement raising A$2.5 million, predominantly from institutional and sophisticated investors, including A$700,000 from existing directors. This capital injection is earmarked to accelerate scaled-up graphite trials using the acquired technology.
RapidPulse™ Technology Promises a Step-Change in Graphite Processing
Developed at Curtin University, RapidPulse™ is a novel catalytic graphitisation process that can convert natural graphite to battery-grade quality within seconds by rapidly reaching temperatures close to 3,000°C. This contrasts sharply with conventional Acheson furnace methods that can take up to 30 days. Crucially, the process achieves high purity graphite (~99%) without the use of harsh acid purification, potentially reducing environmental impact and processing costs. RapidPulse™ currently sits at Technology Readiness Level 4, validated at laboratory scale, with a pre-pilot Centorr Furnace commissioned to handle up to 1kg samples.
Strategic Fit with Morogoro Project and Vertical Integration
The acquisition dovetails with InVert’s recent maiden Mineral Resource Estimate for the Kumba Deposit in Tanzania’s Morogoro Project, which reported an inferred resource of 32.2 million tonnes at 8.0% Total Graphitic Carbon. By combining exploration and development at Morogoro with RapidPulse™’s cutting-edge processing, InVert aims to build a vertically integrated graphite supply chain from pit to battery-grade product. Early metallurgical tests processed Morogoro samples through RapidPulse™, enhancing graphitisation from 90.7% to 98.8% and improving purity to 99%, indicating potential battery performance benefits. This integration could position InVert uniquely in the graphite market, addressing both resource and processing bottlenecks efficiently.
Funding and Development Pathway
The A$2.5 million placement complements an Australian Government AEA Ignite grant awarded to Curtin University, supporting RapidPulse™’s advancement from TRL 4 to TRL 5/6 over 12–18 months. Planned workstreams include pre-pilot scale production trials and independent battery-cell validation testing. Beyond this, InVert aspires to reach TRL 7/8 with pilot-scale production in partnership with furnace technology providers, aiming to produce graphite volumes and specifications suitable for battery supply chain qualification. Dr Jason Fogg, co-developer of RapidPulse™, will join InVert full-time to spearhead commercialisation, while Curtin University scientists continue their research roles.
Implications for Investors and Market Position
InVert’s move to secure RapidPulse™ technology and the associated capital raise signals a strategic pivot towards innovation-driven value-add processing in the graphite sector. The technology’s promise of rapid, acid-free, and high-purity graphite production addresses key challenges in battery material supply chains, potentially offering cost and environmental advantages. While the technology remains at an early stage, with scale-up and commercialisation hurdles ahead, the combination with a substantial graphite resource base in Tanzania presents a compelling integrated growth story. The market will be watching how InVert navigates technical validation, pilot production milestones, and eventual market acceptance of RapidPulse-processed graphite products.
Bottom Line?
InVert’s acquisition and funding set the stage for pioneering graphite processing, but the path from lab to commercial scale remains a critical test.
Questions in the middle?
- Can RapidPulse™ technology scale efficiently to commercial volumes without compromising purity?
- How will InVert navigate the technical and market risks inherent in integrating new processing technology with mining operations?
- What timelines and milestones will be key indicators of RapidPulse™’s commercial viability and investor returns?