Graphite is a key component of lithium-ion batteries, while the global supply chain remains heavily concentrated. The International Energy Agency expects China to control around 80% of battery-grade graphite and related processing capacity by 2035, even if mining diversification increases elsewhere. Against that backdrop, Europe is adjusting its sourcing approach toward integrated production systems.
Concentrate supply and downstream processing priorities
Europe’s graphite strategy includes expanding access to upstream graphite concentrate and developing downstream processing capacity for purification, coating, and spheronisation. Battery manufacturers require coated spherical purified graphite (CSPG), which involves additional refinement steps beyond raw concentrate. The shift is aimed at connecting mining operations with battery anode production facilities.
Amitsoq project in Greenland advances toward CSPG output
The Amitsoq Graphite Project, operated by GreenRoc, received a 30-year exploitation licence from Greenland in December 2025. The project is designed to produce around 80,000 tonnes of graphite concentrate annually, with feedstock derived from approximately 400,000 tonnes of ore per year. It has also been recognized as an EU strategic raw materials project.
Feasibility studies for Amitsoq include plans to convert concentrate into roughly 39,700 tonnes per year of coated spherical purified graphite. That material is described as the input required for battery anodes. The project therefore targets a mine-to-anode pathway rather than concentrate extraction alone.
Sarytogan in Kazakhstan draws European institutional backing
The Sarytogan Graphite Project is attracting European institutional interest, including support from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. In May 2026, the EBRD increased its stake in Sarytogan to 18.4%. The investment aligns with Europe’s efforts to diversify raw-material sources.
Sarytogan’s scale is reflected in an estimated resource of 225 million tonnes at 29.2% total graphitic carbon. Planned staged production is set at 50,000 tonnes per year, with a potential mine life of around 60 years. The project is also progressing environmental studies and product development intended to secure long-term industrial customers.
Maniry project in Madagascar supports EU critical raw materials sourcing
The Maniry Graphite Project has been recognized under the EU Critical Raw Materials Act as a strategic initiative. The recognition is linked to diversifying supply away from dominant Asian processing chains. The project is positioned as part of Europe’s external sourcing network.
Maniry’s development metrics include potential production of up to 60,000 tonnes of graphite concentrate per year and an estimated project life of 21 years. The projected pre-tax net present value is approximately $263 million. The project provides a geographically diversified route into Europe’s battery ecosystem.
Northern Graphite links Namibia production with France processing capacity
Northern Graphite is advancing a vertically integrated approach that connects its Okanjande project in Namibia with battery anode material production in France. The plan includes upgrading material from Okanjande into battery anode material at a dedicated processing facility in France. That facility has been granted EU strategic project status.
The French plant is planned with initial capacity of 20,000 tonnes per year, with expansion potential to 50,000 tonnes per year. Operational start is expected around 2028. The model described links overseas graphite supply with processing capacity within the EU.
Battery-grade qualification requirements constrain new supply pipelines
A key constraint across the graphite sector is qualification for battery use, which goes beyond securing supply volumes. Battery manufacturers require validation covering purity control and impurity removal, stable particle size distribution, consistent electrochemical performance, and long-term supply reliability. These requirements mean that even high-quality deposits may not immediately translate into battery-grade output.
Integrated graphite-to-anode systems remain the focus through 2030
Europe’s approach emphasizes that mining alone is insufficient for delivering battery-ready materials. The future direction described involves fully integrated graphite-to-anode systems combining extraction, processing, and final material production. Projects such as Amitsoq and Sarytogan are cited for upstream scale and diversification, while initiatives tied to Madagascar and Namibia are linked to supply and processing pathways.
The timeframe referenced indicates that between 2026 and 2030, graphite is expected to become one of Europe’s most competitive and strategically important critical-minerals sectors. Long-term outcomes are described as depending on industrial-scale processing capacity, qualification with battery manufacturers, integration into European gigafactory supply chains, and reduced reliance on Chinese-controlled refining.
