Automotive
enterpriseTarget: Electric Bus Manufacturer
If you are an OEM dealing with unstable graphite imports — this project developed a European end-to-end supply chain that provides battery-grade graphite to secure your production line.
GR4FITE3 · Project
Sustainable European Graphite Supply Chain for High-Performance Electric Vehicle Battery Anodes
energyTestedTRL 5
Imagine building a battery's 'skeleton' using a mix of freshly mined minerals and recycled parts from old batteries. Instead of relying on imports from far away, this effort creates a local loop to get the raw materials and clean them without using harsh acids. It's like upgrading a basic recipe to make batteries that last longer and are much kinder to the planet.
By the numbers
10%
Europe's projected 2030 graphite demand met by Zavalievsky Mine
99.95%
Minimum carbon purity for natural graphite
0.5 kg CO2eq/kg
Target carbon footprint of graphite production
The business problem
What needed solving
Europe relies heavily on graphite imports for EV batteries, creating energy security risks and high carbon footprints. Current purification methods often use hazardous chemicals like hydrofluoric acid.
The solution
What was built
A sustainable supply chain including an acid-free purification process, hybridized anode materials (natural/recycled graphite + silicon), and prototype battery cells.
Audience
Who needs this
EV Battery Cell ManufacturersElectric Vehicle OEMsBattery Recycling CompaniesGrid-scale Energy Storage Providers
Business applications
Who can put this to work
Energy Storage
enterpriseTarget: Utility Grid Developer
If you are a grid operator dealing with high carbon footprints for solar and wind storage — this project developed a production process that reduces CO2 emissions to 0.5 kg CO2eq/kg.
Battery Manufacturing
mid-sizeTarget: Anode Material Producer
If you are a manufacturer dealing with low-purity natural graphite — this project developed a purification process that achieves a carbon purity of at least 99.95% without using hydrofluoric acid.
Frequently asked
Quick answers
What is the expected cost or price impact of this supply chain?
Based on available project data, specific pricing is not mentioned, but the project focuses on making the supply chain economically viable and reducing energy input during ore upgrading.
Can this be scaled to an industrial level?
Yes, the project aims to scale up production at the Zavalievsky Mine to meet approximately 10% of Europe's projected 2030 graphite demand.
How is the IP or licensing handled for the purification process?
Based on available project data, specific licensing terms are not provided, but the project involves 10 partners across 6 countries developing a proprietary acid-free purification method.
What is the timeline for deployment?
The project runs from May 1, 2023, to April 30, 2027, with the goal of supporting 2030 demand projections.
How does this integrate with existing battery production?
It integrates by providing hybridized anode materials combining natural and recycled graphite with silicon nanoparticles, which are then used to create prototype cells and modules.
Consortium
Who built it
The consortium is heavily weighted toward technical execution and validation, consisting of 10 partners from 6 countries. With 5 research organizations and 3 industrial partners (30% industry ratio), the project balances academic innovation with commercial application. The inclusion of 4 OEMs as external interested parties indicates a strong market-pull strategy to ensure the resulting battery cells meet actual industry requirements.
How to reach the team
Contact RINA CONSULTING SPA in Italy for partnership and commercialization inquiries.
Next steps
Talk to the team behind this work.
Contact us to connect with the GR4FITE3 consortium for anode material sourcing.
More in Energy & Climate
See all Energy & Climate projects →