Latest Materials Sector News

Firebird Metals secures independent international validation confirming its manganese sulphate surpasses 99.99% purity, well beyond Chinese industry benchmarks, reinforcing its proprietary processing edge and advancing its Australian Demonstration Plant.

Critical Resources Limited has secured independent peer-reviewed validation of its dry supersonic deposition (DSD) cathode technology, confirming a solvent- and binder-free process with promising durability and capacity metrics. This milestone strengthens its licensing prospects as the company advances toward full solid-state battery integration.

Alcoa Corporation has agreed to acquire South32’s bauxite, alumina, and aluminum assets for $4.1 billion upfront plus up to $750 million contingent, significantly boosting its upstream aluminum operations and supply chain resilience.

Australian Strategic Materials (ASM) has postponed its shareholder Scheme Meetings to early August 2026, following Energy Fuels’ major financing and acquisition moves. The updated timetable awaits court and regulatory approvals, with the ASM board maintaining its unanimous recommendation.

Australian Strategic Materials (ASM) confirms the Independent Expert’s continued support for Energy Fuels’ acquisition scheme, despite a notable decline in Energy Fuels’ share price. ASM directors remain unanimously in favour as scheme meetings approach.

NOVONIX has achieved a key milestone by delivering a mass production synthetic graphite anode sample to Panasonic, marking the first such North American production and advancing U.S. battery supply chain ambitions.

Evion Group’s Panthera Graphite Technologies joint venture posted a US$530,000 EBITDA in its first full year of commercial production, operating at just 20-25% capacity and setting the stage for substantial earnings growth.

Element 25 has locked in Regroup Australia for long-term mining and ore haulage contracts, streamlining its Butcherbird Expansion Project supply chain and pushing towards a 1.1 Mtpa manganese output.

Lithium Energy is selling its Queensland graphite projects for $20 million to M Battery Materials, which plans an ASX listing focused on battery minerals. Shareholders may receive MBM shares in-specie, gaining direct exposure to a growing battery materials platform.

Li-FT Power has officially taken full ownership of Winsome Resources through a scheme of arrangement, with Winsome shares now delisted from the ASX and Li-FT securities set to begin trading shortly.

SDI Limited's acquisition by Beijing Guoci's subsidiary advances with ASIC registration of the scheme booklet and court approval to convene a shareholder meeting. The all-cash offer at a 53–58% premium awaits shareholder and final court approval.

Green360 Technologies has landed its first named commercial customer for Eco-Clay, signing a non-binding MOU with Holcim Australia to supply up to 4,800 tonnes over 12 months, marking a key step in commercialising its low-carbon cement replacement.