GRAPHITE

What Is Graphite And Where Do I Use It?

Graphite (chemical symbol C) is one of the purest and most crystalline forms of carbon and can be either mined or synthetically made.
Natural graphite powders are mined and occur in 3 different forms: vein, amorphous (actually microcrystalline) and flake.
Synthetic graphite powders are made from carbon precursors (like natural carbons or petcoke) through a high temperature electrochemical process.
Both synthetic and natural graphite powders compete on final applications like batteries, carbon brushes, brake pads, lubricants, foils, refractories and recarburizers for steel.

Natural graphite powders are mainly produced in China, which holds a 70% share of total world production, followed by Latin America with 20%. Europe production of natural graphite powders is less than 1%.

The two most important parameters of natural graphite pricing are carbon content and mesh size which both depend on the natural forms of graphite.
Selling prices of graphite vary a lot depending on the purity level, the particle size and additional products properties.
Flake graphite prices remained relatively stable for many years until 2005, after which they climbed gradually to 2008 before declining in 2009 following the global financial crisis.
Due to China’s huge steel needs, flake graphite prices soared in 2011-2012 but have since returned to 2008 levels due to excess production and reduced demand from the steel industry.
Amorphous prices are much lower.
Nowadays, graphite price ranges from 500 euro/ton till 15’000 euro/ton.

Graphite is an essential ingredient in the production of the Lithium-ion batteries that will power the electrical and hybrid vehicles of tomorrow. Therefore, the demand of graphite is forecasted in strong increase in the future.
There is no existing substitute for natural graphite in refractories.
Another fast growing market is predicted to be expandable graphite for foul, insulation and fire retardant product.
Natural Graphite is not subject to EU REACH Regulations.