International Graphite Limited (ASX: IG6) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with leading Italian chemical manufacturer ALKEEMIA S.p.A. to establish a major graphite processing hub in Italy, marking a significant step in IG6’s strategy to build a fast‑to‑market, Western‑aligned graphite processing network.
The proposed joint venture, structured as 51% ALKEEMIA / 49% IG6 with an even profit share, would be located within ALKEEMIA’s large, fully permitted chemical complex at Porto Marghera near Venice, one of Europe’s key industrial centres. The site provides existing infrastructure, an experienced workforce, access to critical reagents and ALKEEMIA’s proprietary graphite purification technology, significantly reducing development risk and capital requirements for the project.
Under the MOU, ALKEEMIA will manage construction and operations under an O&M agreement, while IG6 will contribute plant and equipment funding as well as its downstream graphite expertise. Binding joint‑venture agreements are expected by the end of May 2026, with a Final Investment Decision targeted for June 2026. Initial production of approximately 10,000 tonnes per year is anticipated from late 2027, with scope for further expansion.
The project aims to help meet Europe’s growing demand for secure supply of processed graphite, a material currently dominated by Chinese production. The venture will process graphite concentrates sourced from a variety of producers and trading houses, directly supporting EU targets under the Critical Raw Materials Act, which calls for 40% of critical materials to be processed domestically by 2030. IG6 noted that advanced sales discussions with a specialist European graphite distributor are already underway.
The Italian hub builds on an established collaboration between IG6 and ALKEEMIA. In December 2025, the companies signed an LOI for purification tolling services, with IG6 allocated up to 50% of capacity at ALKEEMIA’s startup 200t/y purification plant, which is planned to expand to 20,000t/y by 2030. Pilot‑scale testwork completed in February 2026 achieved >99.9% carbon purity on IG6 feedstock, validating the process for high‑specification graphite products.
Andrew Worland, managing director and CEO of International Graphite, commented, “The MOU is a major step in our plans to build a significant graphite processing network. The Europe plant will be our second production facility alongside our operations at Collie, in Western Australia. ALKEEMIA’s infrastructure and highly skilled team significantly reduce capital cost, execution risk and time to market, creating a strong competitive advantage in a growing graphite market.”
Aidan Nania, executive director of IG6, added that the venture positions both companies to deliver locally processed, high‑specification graphite aligned with Europe’s critical minerals strategy.
ALKEEMIA CEO Lorenzo Di Donato said the initiative leverages the company’s integrated HF production and purification capabilities to establish a scalable European supply chain for advanced graphite materials.
The companies view the development as a strategically important, low‑cost pathway to serve Europe’s rapidly growing energy‑storage and industrial graphite markets.
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