Hazer Group (ASX:HZR) has received test work results related to the high-purity graphite produced using its proprietary Hazer Process.
The Hazer Process enables the effective conversion of natural gas and similar feedstocks into hydrogen and high-quality graphite, using iron ore as a process catalyst.
Test work shows the non-optimised high-purity graphite has exhibited strong performance against fully-optimised commercial graphite benchmarks in half-cell lithium-ion batteries.
Furthermore, test work has shown that modifying process conditions leads to graphite with increased performance.
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Hazer’s acting CEO Mark Edwards said: “These results are very encouraging considering we haven't treated the Hazer graphite other than primary purification.
“We can maintain stability without having to apply coatings like some of the benchmark materials we tested.”
A low-cost alternative graphite product for lithium-ion batteries
This process versatility and continued optimisation of the Hazer graphite product, potentially offers a high-quality, low cost alternative to the rapidly growing lithium–ion battery market.
Graphite produced using the Hazer Process only required one processing stage to achieve performance qualities required for lithium-ion batteries.
This is a competitive edge over the current natural and synthetic graphite alternatives which can require 5-7 stages.
Development work to continue
Positive test work results provide a foundation for continued development of the optimum processing conditions needed to manufacture graphite for lithium-ion batteries.
The graphite also has the potential for application in other markets.