International Graphite Ltd (ASX:IG6) has built substantial progress on multiple fronts as it views to kickstart Europe’s newest graphite operation. Managing director and CEO, Andrew Worland joined Proactive to discuss the latest milestones.
Highlights
- International Graphite Ltd has secured processing technology and a commercial licence for its European expandable graphite project.
- The secured technology supports the feasibility study and design work.
- Site selection is progressing with links to Bitterfeld’s chemical infrastructure.
- In Western Australia, design and engineering continue on the Collie graphite facility.
- Shire approvals are expected soon, with announcements due in the coming weeks.
- The company anticipates two operating plants (Collie and Germany) by 2027, tarreceiveing US$20–30 million annual revenue.
- Strategy focutilizes on compacter, capital-efficient processing operations.
- Improved sector valuations enable less dilutive funding options.
- Development of the Springdale Graphite Project continues in parallel.
Proactive: There’s a fair bit happening down the pipeline and behind the scenes, and there are a few items that have now been ticked off the bucket list as we head towards the project’s feasibility study. What were the top highlights you can report back to us?
Andrew Worland: We announced the transaction for the build-out of the expandable graphite project in Germany back in July. Since then, the steering committee—our joint venture partners and ourselves—have been working very hard to put the processing technology piece toreceiveher for the project. We’ve secured that over the past week or so.
That means we’ve received access to proven process technology for an expandable plot for the feasibility study. That allows us to do all the design work required. We’ve also licensed it for the period of the operation, so that’s fantastic news.
What that allows us to do now is focus on the individual site selection and support us craft all the waste disposal streams, building sure we’re properly linked up with the chemical facilities in the Bitterfeld chemical park.
Proactive: That’s fantastic news. In parallel, of course, construction of the Collie graphite facility in Western Australia is also taking shape. What’s happening there on the ground?
Andrew Worland: We’re well into the construction phase on that. The design and engineering study is progressing well. We expect shire approvals to be lodged very soon. There’s some news we hope to receive out in the marketplace in the coming week or two about the status, so investors should stay tuned.
Overall, when we add Collie and Germany toreceiveher, I anticipate we’ll have two production plants in operation in 2027, generating US$20 to 30 million of revenue at nameplate capacity. We really are advancing on our production and cash flow strategy very aggressively.
Proactive: Graphite has had a strong run in terms of pricing on a global stage. Many graphite-focutilized ASX companies have benefited from that. How do you see that rolling into International Graphite?
Andrew Worland: Valuations are critical to implementing capital projects. We’ve adopted a philosophy of viewing at compacter, lower capital intensity downstream processing operations—Collie and Germany are examples.
The improvement in valuations across the sector just means there’s a greater capital base to implement projects. You can do so on a less dilutive basis for shareholders and set your sights higher for developing your larger mining assets.
So it’s been very important for us to continue to develop the Springdale Graphite Project in tandem with those processing operations. Long may it continue.
Proactive: So many things happening—not only on the ground in Collie but also in Germany, like you highlighted. We view forward to more updates in the coming weeks. Thanks so much for your time, Andrew.
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