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☆ Western lithium, graphite miners boost prices for ESG-friendly supply
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( Ernest Scheyder | Thomson Reuters | Ernest Scheyder Is An Award-Winning Senior Correspondent Covering The Green Energy Transition | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLOS ANGELES, Nov 17 (Reuters) - Western lithium and graphite miners have started charging the electric vehicle (EV) supply chain higher prices for their material, meeting demand for environmentally-friendly and consistent supply that is not linked to China. Lithium, the lightest metal, is used to make a battery's positively charged cathode and prized for its ability to store energy. Miners say the surcharges make investors more comfortable financing new projects, especially as Chinese rivals have been known to sell metals below prevailing market rates. Brazil's Sigma Lithium (SGML.V) has already begun selling its production at prices it says reflects its sustainability. The surcharge talk comes despite recent plunges in a range of lithium prices.

Persons: Ivan Alvarado, Patrice Boulanger, Shaun Verner, Amanda Hall, surcharges, Hugues Jacquemin, Ernest Scheyder, David Gregorio Our Organizations: REUTERS, Washington, China, EV, Panasonic Energy, Miners, Syrah Resources, Department of Energy, Tesla, ESG, Summit, Thomson Locations: Antofagasta region, Chile, China, Los Angeles, Brussels, Beijing, North America, United States, Louisiana, North, South America, Quebec

☆ Global EV battery supply chain puzzles over China graphite curbs
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Graphite powder, used for battery paste, is pictured in a Volkswagen pilot line for battery cell production in Salzgitter, Germany, May 18, 2022. China dominates the global EV battery supply chain including production of graphite - the single largest component. Graphite companies in the country process both the natural material mined domestically and overseas, as well as synthetic forms. Under the new rules, China will require export permits starting Dec. 1 for high-end synthetic graphite, as well as key forms of natural graphite. NATURAL GRAPHITE HITGlobal companies using natural graphite include Hitachi Chemical, part of Japan's Resonac Holdings Corp (4004.T), South Korea's POSCO Future M (003670.KS) and Japan's Mitsubishi Chemical, which produces natural graphite at two plants in China, according to research firm CRU Group.

Persons: Fabian Bimmer, Sunit Kapur, Zhang Yan, Siyi Liu, Brenda Goh, Satoshi Sugiyama, Heekyong Yang, Seoul ， Paul Lienert, Jing Xu, Dominique Patton, Tony Munroe, David Evans Organizations: Volkswagen, REUTERS, Rights, EV, Qingdao, Reuters, China's Ministry of Commerce, Gotion High Tech, BTR, Material Technology, Hitachi Chemical, Japan's Resonac Holdings Corp, Mitsubishi Chemical, CRU Group, Mitsubishi, Resources, Materials, Thomson Locations: Salzgitter, Germany, Beijing, China, Japan, South Korea, United States, U.S, Shanghai, Ningbo Shanshan, Indonesia, Finland, Japan's, Australia, Mozambique, U.S ., Louisiana, North Carolina, Toyko, Seoul ，, Detroit

☆ Tesla supplier Syrah expects more graphite buys ahead of China export ban
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Oct 26 (Reuters) - Australian producer Syrah Resources (SYR.AX) on Thursday said it expects buyers outside of China to step up their purchases of natural graphite before stricter export controls on the battery material came into effect on December 1. China, the world's largest graphite producer and exporter, will require export permits as of Dec. 1 for some graphite products, including spherical graphite used by electric vehicle makers. The export controls could mean that automakers and suppliers of battery materials will have to accelerate their search for alterative sources of the mineral. Syrah said that, based on feedback from its customers and analysts, buyers are looking to stockpile graphite to reduce the risk of near-term supply disruptions ahead of the ban, and ahead of China's winter when it tends to produce less natural graphite. "Any disruption or reduction in China anode precursor or AAM export supply without replacement supply would impact battery production outside China," it said.

Persons: Roushni Nair, Melanie Burton, Miral Organizations: Syrah Resources, Tesla, AAM, U.S . International Development Finance Corporation, Thomson Locations: Australian, China, Mozambique, Louisiana, Balama, United States, Bengaluru, Melbourne

China's decision may escalate trade disputes globally and spur other countries to prioritize research into alternative sources and materials, industry executives said. "We see China's move as a potential catalyst to highlight the urgency of improving (U.S.) graphite supply," said John DeMaio, president of Graphex Group's (6128.HK) graphene division. It has graphite supply deals with Syrah Resources (SYR.AX) and is looking for other sources, DeMaio said. Synthetic graphite could account for nearly two-thirds of the EV battery anode market by 2025, Benchmark Mineral Intelligence estimates. Chief Operating Officer Hans Erik Vatne told Reuters recently that developing synthetic graphite production is costly, but that is the price to pay to reduce reliance on China.

Persons: Fabian Bimmer, John DeMaio, Graphex Group's, DeMaio, Tesla, Hans Erik Vatne, Rob Anstey, Alvin Liu, Akash Sriram, Ernest SCheyder, Nick Carey, Christina Amann, Marie Mannes, Gilles Guillaume, Ilona Wissenbach, Ben Klayman, Josie Kao Organizations: Volkswagen, REUTERS, Syrah Resources, Magnis Energy Technologies, Mineral Intelligence, Reuters, EVs, BMO Capital Markets, BMW, Volvo, Renault, General Motors, Ford, Thomson Locations: Salzgitter, Germany, China, Warren , Michigan, West, U.S, Europe, Oslo, Norway, Bengaluru, Houston, London, Berlin, Stockholm, Paris, Frankfurt

☆ Factbox: Few suppliers of synthetic graphite for EV batteries
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A sign directing towards electric vehicle charging points is seen in a car park in Manchester, Britain, September 8, 2023. REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 12 (Reuters) - Although synthetic graphite has been around for more than 100 years, few companies are supplying the material to makers of electric vehicle batteries and battery electrodes. Here’s a short list of public and private companies engaged in the development and production of synthetic graphite, regarded as higher purity and offering better performance, for EV batteries:Anovion (USA)Founded: 2022Partners: Forge Nano, American Battery FactoryOperations: USABTR New Energy Materials (China)(835185.BJE)Founded: 2000Investor: Syrah Resources (SYR.AX)Partner: CNGR (300919.SZ)Operations: China, IndonesiaKuntian New Energy Technology (China)Founded: 2018Investors: Sinopec (600028.SS) , SK China, A123 Systems, Eve Energy (300014.SZ) , BTR New Energy Materials (835185.BJE) , SvoltOperations: ChinaNovonix Group (Australia)(NVX.AX)Founded: 2012Investor: Phillips 66 (PSX.N)Partners: LG Energy Solution (373220.KS) , Kore PowerOperations: Australia, Canada, USAResonac Holdings (Japan)(4004.T)formerly Showa DenkoFounded: 1939Operations: JapanShanshan Technology (China)(SSHOLG.UL)Vianode (Norway)Founded: 2020Investors: Elkem (ELK.OL) , Norsk Hydro (NHY.OL)Operations: NorwaySources: Felixwire, PitchBookReporting by Paul Lienert in Detroit; Editing by Timothy GardnerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Phil Noble, Paul Lienert, Timothy Gardner Organizations: REUTERS, EV, American Battery Factory, BTR, Energy Materials, Syrah, Indonesia Kuntian, Energy Technology, SK China, Systems, Eve Energy, BTR New Energy Materials, Svolt, China Novonix Group, LG Energy, Power, USA Resonac Holdings, Japan Shanshan Technology, Norsk Hydro, Thomson Locations: Manchester, Britain, China, BJE, Indonesia, Australia, Canada, Japan, Vianode, Norway, Detroit

☆ Factbox: Graphite producers doing deals with automakers and battery groups
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Tomas Bergman/Handout via REUTERSLONDON, June 21 (Reuters) - Automakers are rushing to lock in graphite supply from outside dominant producer China as mined graphite demand for electric vehicle (EV) batteries outpaces other uses. Below are details of some Western companies producing, or planning to produce graphite, and their deals with auto makers and battery producers. It aims to start annual production at a battery anode plant in Mauritius in 2024 at 3,600 metric tons. SYRAH RESOURCES LTD (SYR.AX)Operates Balama mine in Mozambique, which doubled graphite production to 163,000 metric tons in 2022 from the year before. MAGNIS ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES LTD (MNS.AX)Developing Nachu graphite mine in Tanzania, aiming to produce 236,000 metric tons of graphite concentrate.

Persons: Tomas Bergman, Handout, steelmaker Thyssenkrupp, Talga, Magnis, Tesla, China's, Eric Onstad, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Talga Group, Reuters, REUTERS LONDON, INC, TALGA, Automotive Cells Company, ACC, Stellantis, Mercedes, Benz, Renault, LG Energy, Ford Motor Company, SK, MONDE, Panasonic Energy, Thomson Locations: Norrbotten, Sweden, China, Madagascar, Mauritius, Lulea, Mozambique, U.S ., Louisiana, Tanzania, United States, New York, South Australia, Macquarie, Canada, India, Alabama, Coosa

☆ Analysis: Auto firms race to secure non-Chinese graphite for EVs as shortages loom
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( Eric Onstad | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Auto firms have been slow to plan for graphite shortages, focusing mainly on better-known battery materials lithium and cobalt, even though graphite is the largest battery component by weight. Graphite shortages are expected to rise in coming years, with a global supply deficit of 777,000 tonnes expected by 2030, Project Blue projections showed. China produces 61% of global natural graphite and 98% of the final processed material to make battery anodes, BMI said. Agreeing graphite supply deals is complex, requiring extensive safety testing for material going into each model of EV that can take up to three years. Natural graphite anodes tend to be cheaper and are beneficial for cell capacity and power output, allowing cars to run further distances before charging.

Persons: Tomas Bergman, Handout, there's, Mark Thompson, Australia's, Northvolt, Thompson, Talga, Mercedes, Brent Nykoliation, Tesla, George Miller, Reitumetse, Eric Onstad, Veronica Brown, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Talga Group, Reuters, Mercedes, Auto, Australia's Talga, BMO Capital Markets, Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, BMI, Reuters Graphics, Toyota, Ford, Tesla Inc, Toyota Motor Corp, Ford Motor, Benz, Renault, NextSource, Syrah Resources, Magnis Energy Technologies, U.S, European Union, Thomson Locations: Norrbotten, Sweden, China, Madagascar, Mozambique, United States, Europe, U.S, Mauritius, CHINA, Western

For 100 of those applicants, the Energy Department has hired staff to provide business development advice and "intense mentorship," Jigar Shah, head of the Energy Department's Loan Programs Office, told Reuters on the sidelines of the CERAWeek energy conference in Houston. Given the rapidly evolving technologies in the clean energy space, Shah said the department might shorten loan terms. If we think that that's a risk, then we just change the terms of the loan," Shah said. The LPO office would like more applications from electric utilities and oil and gas companies for projects designed to reduce emissions, as well as geothermal companies, Shah said. Commercial debt markets are "less interested in the more innovative approaches that (wind companies) are taking.

☆ Australia's Magnis in deal with Tesla to supply graphite for electric vehicle batteries
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Feb 21 (Reuters) - Australia's graphite developer Magnis Energy (MNS.AX) on Tuesday said it has signed a binding offtake deal with Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) to supply battery anode materials for a minimum three-year term beginning February 2025. The deal comes while automakers race to secure the supply of critical minerals as the world shifts to decarbonise and diversify global supply chains away from China, the world's biggest producer of electric vehicle batteries. Australia is beefing up its supply of critical minerals to the global auto industry, with BHP group (BHP.AX), Syrah Resources (SYR.AX), Liontown Resources(LTR.AX) and Piedmont Lithium having agreed to supply these minerals to Tesla. Magnis aims to secure a final location for its commercial AAM facility in the U.S. by June 30, and commence production by February 2025. Reporting by Nausheen Thusoo in Bengaluru; Editing by Sandra Maler and Chris ReeseOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Syrah Resources to explore graphite supply to LG Energy Solution, shares soar
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Oct 20 (Reuters) - Australia's Syrah Resources Ltd (SYR.AX) said on Thursday it will evaluate supplying a key lithium-ion battery component to South Korea's LG Energy Solution Ltd (373220.KS), sending its shares to a more than four-year high. Graphite anodes' popularity has soared as companies race to secure supplies of battery materials used in electric vehicles amid a global push towards cleaner transportation and fuel. The company added that it was developing the facility as a natural graphite AAM supply alternative for U.S. battery supply chains, with production targeted to start in the September 2023 quarter. Shares of Syrah jumped as much as 17.6% to A$2.21, their highest level since October 2018. Last month, the South Korean battery maker inked cobalt and lithium supply deals with three Canadian miners.

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