NeoGraf to ensure uninterrupted supply of graphite

China is the world’s largest producer of graphite, a key component of Li-ion (LI) batteries for electric vehicles and also widely used in traditional graphite markets, including composites and thermoplastics.

On October 20th, China announced that export permits will be needed, starting December 1st, for synthetic graphite materials, including high-purity, high-strength, and high-density versions as well as for natural flake graphite. NeoGraf, a global specialist in specialty graphite with manufacturing facilities in North America, is strategically positioned to meet the market’s supply needs and has reassured its customers that it will meet all current obligations.

“We understand that the security and reliability of our supply chain is of utmost importance to our customers,” said Natesh Krishnan, CEO of NeoGraf Solutions. “We are committed to maintaining a robust, global supply chain to provide consistent, uninterrupted service.”

Amid growing demand for graphite products, NeoGraf Solutions is well prepared as a diversified, global supplier to mitigate any future supply challenges. Over the years, NeoGraf has taken proactive steps to diversify its supplier base by seeking alternative sources of high-quality graphite from North America and Africa, in addition to China. This strategy ensures the security and continuity of its supply chain, even in the face of restrictions from a single region. In addition, the company’s long-term partnership with Northern Graphite, which has graphite mines in North America, further bolsters its position as a diversified and reliable supplier.

NeoGraf Solutions is also considered a global pioneer in the integrated manufacturing of high-quality specialty graphite solutions. The company’s core competency lies in the ability to chemically transform raw graphite flake, regardless of origin, into ‘ready-to-use’ flake with consistent quality.

A dedicated team is ready to implement contingency plans in response to any unforeseen disruptions, safeguarding customer operations and product quality. Customers have been advised that any turbulence in the global supply chain caused by the Chinese government announcement could lead to increased lead times.

NeoGraf Solutions has more than 140 years of product leadership and innovation in the carbon and graphite industry. The company’s graphite products are additive materials that enhance mechanical strength, electrical conductivity, thermal properties, and barrier performance of thermosets and thermoplastics such as polypropylene (PP), polyamide (PA), polystyrene (EPS and XPS), polyethylene (HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE), polyvinylchloride (PVC), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

These graphite materials can increase the toughness of plastics by up to 2.5 times without a significant weight increase while a loading as small as 0.5 wt% can increase tensile strength by 15% or more. A graphite loading of 15% can double thermal conductivity and push the electrical conductivity of plastics into the anti-static and static-dissipative ranges. In addition, just 1% or less of graphite nanoplatelet additives are needed to drive performance improvements including increased mechanical strength (up to 30% stiffer), enhanced thermal/electrical properties (conductivity increase by 5x or more), and improved barrier properties.

In composites formulations, loadings of <5 wt% of graphene can increase strength by 40%, improve stiffness by 20%, and elevate impact strength by 80%. Graphite can also improve the heat resistance of composites and provide noise reduction of up to 20%.

Graphite materials can be used in a range of plastic applications including electrically conductive fillers for electrostatic discharge (ESD) plastics in automotive electronics and heat resistance additives for under-hood plastic components such as HVAC systems, water pump housings, and valve covers.