Evolution Energy Minerals Ltd (ASX:EV1) has fielded more results from the demonstration project it's working on with its US-based technology partner to evaluate the role of Chilalo graphite in a range of applications including premium performance electrically conductive coatings and conductivity enhancement materials.
Outperforms premium synthetic graphite
The test work and processing of the non-spherical by-product from Evolution’s proposed battery anode flowsheet has yielded positive results, demonstrating that the product outperforms other materials in high-value applications including:
- battery cathode conductivity enhancement – Chilalo non-spherical by-product outperforms premium quality primary synthetic graphite; and
- electrically conductive coatings – alkaline battery cells containing Chilalo’s electrically-conductive coating have a significantly higher discharge capacity, or run time, than premium quality primary synthetic graphite.
The demonstration project has produced conductivity enhancement additives and coatings using the finely-sized, ultra-high-purity graphite generated as a by-product in the company’s process of making spherical graphite for anodes in lithium-ion batteries.
Based on testing to date, approximately 36% of the feedstock to the spherical graphite flowsheet generates the non-spherical by-product.
Lucrative market opportunities
These results demonstrate the ability to access lucrative market opportunities for this material, indicating the potential to generate value-added revenue from up to 100% of the fine flake concentrate from Chilalo.
Managing director Phil Hoskins said: “We are extremely pleased that Chilalo graphite has not only proven itself to be an exceptional anode material for lithium-ion batteries but also that the non-spherical by-product can find lucrative uses in value-added electrically conductive applications.
“While our commercialisation priority is firmly on the use of Chilalo graphite in the production of anode material for lithium-ion batteries, the ability to utilise the non-spherical by-product in high-value electrically conductive applications is a significant opportunity that we plan to advance in parallel with the production of battery anode materials.”
The program has now expanded to include demonstration projects for the non-spherical by-product in value-added applications with shorter qualification timeframes than EV battery anodes.