Renascor Resources Ltd. has produced battery-grade purified spherical graphite (PSG) at its demonstration facility in Adelaide, achieving a carbon purity level of 99.97 per cent.
The result validates the commercial scale-up of Renascor’s hydrofluoric acid-free (HF-free) purification process, moving the technology beyond laboratory testing into large-scale production.
The batch trials were conducted over five-day periods using third-party graphite to establish performance benchmarks, with samples collected across all stages of the integrated purification circuit.
Achieving 99.97 per cent purity satisfies the stringent requirements for lithium-ion battery anode manufacturing. The HF-free technology offers a cleaner alternative to traditional purification methods, delivering lower reagent consumption, recycling capability, and reduced environmental handling requirements.
A recent company cost study estimated operating expenses at approximately US$459 per tonne (in 2026 dollars), highlighting the potential for a cost-competitive supply of battery-grade PSG outside China.
Constructed with the assistance of a $5 million grant from the Australian government’s International Partnerships in Critical Minerals Program, the Adelaide demonstration plant serves as a cornerstone for Renascor’s planned mine-to-PSG operation, which will utilise feedstock from its wholly owned Siviour Graphite Deposit in South Australia.
Renascor Managing Director David Christensen said: “We have moved beyond laboratory-scale validation and have now confirmed that our HF-free purification process works at demonstration scale.
“We are now building on this result as we continue with processing runs, including using Siviour graphite, to optimise plant performance and produce samples for prospective offtake partners.
“This work will help prepare us for multi-tonne operating campaigns as we advance towards commercial production.”
The company is preparing for further batch trials this quarter using graphite from its Siviour deposit to fine-tune operating parameters and supply sample material to potential off-take and strategic partners.
These initial runs will lay the groundwork for multi-tonne, extended continuous processing campaigns to generate operational data ahead of full commercial development.
