ALKEEMIA has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with International Graphite to establish a joint venture aimed at developing a graphite processing hub in Porto Marghera, Italy. This initiative is pivotal for enhancing Europe’s mid-stream capabilities in critical minerals, particularly as the region seeks to bolster its supply chain for battery materials.
The joint venture will see ALKEEMIA holding a 51% stake, while International Graphite will possess 49%, with both parties agreeing on equal profit sharing. This arrangement reflects a collaborative industrial partnership focused on advancing graphite processing rather than merely financial interests.
The Porto Marghera facility is set to specialize in micronized and expandable graphite, which are high-value products necessitating high-purity feedstock and sophisticated chemical processing techniques. By combining ALKEEMIA’s expertise in fluorine chemistry with International Graphite’s processing capabilities, this hub aims to create an integrated mid-stream platform that enhances production efficiency.
Building on previous initiatives at Porto Marghera, ALKEEMIA plans to commission a graphite purification plant capable of processing approximately 200 tonnes per year by 2026. The long-term strategy envisions scaling this output to around 20,000 tonnes annually by 2030 through a phased expansion approach that balances capital investment with operational flexibility, responding effectively to the growing European demand for processed graphite.
This partnership offers strategic advantages for both companies. For International Graphite, leveraging an established purification platform minimizes capital expenditure and lowers operational risks, facilitating a swift entry into downstream markets without the burden of developing standalone infrastructure. Conversely, ALKEEMIA expands its business scope into battery materials and advanced carbon processing, capitalizing on its established position as a leading producer of hydrofluoric acid and fluoroderivatives crucial for graphite purification.
The rationale behind this venture is clear: purified graphite is essential for producing micronized graphite, expandable graphite, and battery anode materials. This focus on mid-stream processing underscores the shift towards value creation that transcends traditional upstream mining activities.
Yoshi Uenishi, Chief Strategy Officer of ALKEEMIA, emphasized that integrating purification and downstream processing within a single hub not only accelerates industrial scaling but also enhances capital efficiency and operational synergies throughout the graphite value chain. As Europe aims to reduce its reliance on imported processed graphite—especially from China—Porto Marghera is emerging as a vital mid-stream hub that supports localized supply chains for advanced materials and battery industries.
The joint venture is progressing towards definitive agreements and a Final Investment Decision (FID), with both companies indicating an expedited timeline. ALKEEMIA is set to enhance its graphite purification capacity further, solidifying its role as a key player in Europe’s burgeoning battery materials ecosystem.
This partnership exemplifies a broader trend across Europe: the integration of chemical processing expertise with raw material supply chains to forge hybrid industrial platforms that connect upstream mining with downstream manufacturing. The Porto Marghera hub thus represents more than just a processing facility; it signifies a strategic shift in Europe’s critical minerals value chain, highlighting the importance of controlling purification and mid-stream processing alongside access to raw graphite resources.
