Highlights
- Battery-grade graphite demand is projected to quadruple by 2030, signaling its crucial role in carbon neutrality.
- The supply chain is heavily concentrated in low-cost regions, creating significant geopolitical risks.
- Research by KIGAM experts offers strategic recommendations for stabilizing and diversifying graphite production.
The study “Overview of Graphite Supply Chain and Its Challenges,” authored by Junhyeok Park and published recently, provides a comprehensive analysis of the graphite supply chain, emphasizing its critical role in the global transition toward carbon neutrality and clean energy. The research highlights that demand for battery-grade graphite is projected to quadruple by 2030 compared to 2023 levels, with overall demand expected to double during the same period. This surge underscores graphite’s significance, particularly as a key component in battery anodes.
The paper identifies significant challenges within the graphite supply chain. Graphite is classified as a high-risk mineral due to its heavily concentrated supply chain, which poses notable geopolitical risks. Note that this is a critical mineral and not a rare earth element.
The centralization of production in low-cost regions has intensified supply chain vulnerabilities, increasing dependence on specific countries. To address these issues, the study offers strategic insights to stabilize and diversify the graphite supply chain.
Junhyeok Park is a Senior Researcher at the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (opens in a new tab) (KIGAM). His expertise includes research on smart mining applications, constructing digital twins of mine operations, and providing technical support for local mining industries.
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