News & Intelligence

NOVONIX provided a mass-production qualification C-sample of synthetic graphite anode material to Panasonic Energy in June 2026.

Atlas Critical Minerals Corp. reported 100% success in intersecting graphite mineralization across 20 drill holes in its Minas Gerais, Brazil project, with notable high-grade intervals confirmed by SGS Geosol.

The U.S. Department of Energy has allocated $500 million to strengthen domestic processing and manufacturing of critical battery materials, aiming to reduce foreign supply chain reliance by 15% by 2030.

DASEN Group has expanded its multi-factory network across China and Vietnam, enhancing global supply of graphite sheets and carbon fiber products with coordinated production and R&D facilities.

NanoMalaysia Bhd and Indonesia’s National Battery Research Institute unveiled the Nusantara Battery, a graphene-infused lithium-ion battery, at the ASEAN Battery Technology Conference in Sepang.

HydroGraph Clean Power Inc. opened its Texas headquarters in Austin, featuring a facility capable of producing 30 tons of pristine graphene annually. Congressman John Carter attended the event.

AZL Aachen GmbH is leading a consortium to benchmark CFRP rotor sleeves for electric motors, focusing on press-fit and direct-winding concepts. Production starts in August 2026.

Researchers at KU Leuven have developed a graphene oxide membrane that efficiently separates water from isopropanol, reducing energy use in solvent purification.

The Ellington anaerobic digestion facility will use 115 tons of Arigna biochar for ground stabilization, aiding carbon offset in construction. Completion is expected in approximately 18 months.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality awarded $1 million for mobile biochar equipment to convert Hurricane Helene debris into a soil amendment for flood-damaged farmland in Haywood County.

MASTERMATE is advancing carbon fiber NFC technology, enabling premium smart products with seamless digital connectivity for business, luxury, and automotive applications.

Graphene Manufacturing Group has partnered with Blackwoods to distribute its graphene-based lubricant additive, G® LUBRICANT, across Australia.

Penn State researchers are assessing the sustainability of Woodland Biomass Innovations' plan to convert 1,000 tons of wood residues daily into gasoline and biochar in Tioga County, Pennsylvania.

CCI BioEnergy has secured a contract to supply equipment for the Disco Road Organics Processing Facility in Toronto.

Himadri Specialty Chemicals will establish India's first carbon nanotube production facility at its West Bengal complex, with an initial capacity of 200 tons per year, starting commercial production by FY2027.

HydroGraph Clean Power is urging the U.S. to classify graphene as a critical material to reduce reliance on foreign graphite, highlighting its domestic production capability from hydrocarbon gases.

Vink Chemicals and pyropower GmbH celebrated the topping-out of a new biochar power plant in Schwerin, Germany, designed to supply energy to Vink's production site.

Weiwa Machinery shipped a continuous carbonization furnace to Pakistan, designed for high-capacity biochar production from local agricultural residues like coconut shells and rice husks.

India's first 120-ton-per-annum carbon fibre demonstration plant is being established in Amravati.

Himadri Speciality Chemical is focusing on carbon nanotubes as a potential growth area to complement its existing battery materials business.

Graphene Manufacturing Group Ltd signed an exclusive MOU with Alstom to develop graphene products for rail HVAC systems.

In a video, HydroGraph CEO Kjirstin Breure discusses how their graphene enabled a biosensor company to create technology that wasn't possible with other commercially available graphenes.

Smoltek has joined the MAXBATT consortium, which includes Scania and Volvo, to enhance sustainable battery production using carbon nanofiber technology.

Operators can boost profits from tire pyrolysis by refining oil and carbon black into higher-value products. Upgraded materials meet industrial standards, attracting stable buyers and better margins.

Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a process to convert methane into graphene oxide using a nonthermal plasma-water interface, potentially reducing production costs.

Kumho plans to increase production of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) to enhance electric vehicle battery performance.

Eramet and the Gabonese Republic signed a memorandum to develop a biochar production sector using forestry by-products. An industrial seed fund "Made in Gabon" will also be launched.

NanoMalaysia (NMB) is set to begin small-scale production of a graphene-enhanced lithium-ion battery for electric vehicles at its 15,000-square-foot facility in Sepang, Malaysia. By incorporating graphene instead of graphite, the battery aims to triple energy storage capacity, which could significantly enhance the performance of carbon-based materials in EV applications.

Graphite One has selected an engineering firm to procure equipment for synthetic graphite battery anode manufacturing at its Ohio production facility, aiming for completion by 2028. This development is significant for the synthetic graphite sector, as it supports the growing demand for battery anodes in electric vehicles.

Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin have developed a new perovskite solar cell by incorporating graphene, enhancing its durability and efficiency. This advancement in perovskite technology could significantly reduce production costs and improve the performance of solar cells, potentially increasing the adoption of lightweight, flexible solar solutions over traditional silicon-based panels.

HydroGraph Clean Power has launched Fractal Graphene Paste, a pre-dispersed aqueous concentrate containing 20% graphene by weight, designed to simplify the incorporation of graphene into water-based industrial formulations. This development is significant for the advanced carbon materials sector as it addresses the dispersion challenges associated with graphene, potentially accelerating its adoption in applications such as construction materials, coatings, and thermal management systems.

Hina Battery is establishing a 2 GWh sodium-ion battery production line in Wuhan to support commercial transport and cargo operations along the Yangtze River. This development is significant as it leverages local carbon resources to reduce reliance on imported lithium, ensuring stable battery supply for heavy-duty vehicles.

Avadain has developed a new graphene type called Large, Thin, Defect-Free (LTDF) graphene, which features flakes in the 25-100+ µm² range and averages under 5 atomic layers, aiming to enhance applications in critical minerals, rare-earth-free magnets, and high-power electronics. This advancement is significant because it addresses key limitations of commercial graphene, such as flake size, layer count, and defect density, potentially improving the performance of carbon-based materials in demanding applications.

Posco Future M has announced its growth strategy in battery materials, emphasizing the development and supply of anode materials like synthetic graphite. This focus on synthetic graphite is crucial as it plays a key role in enhancing the performance and efficiency of lithium-ion batteries used in various applications.

Researchers at the Institute of Environment under the Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center have developed a technology for large-scale biochar production from agricultural and forestry biomass, capable of producing over 50,000 tonnes annually. This advancement in biochar technology supports environmental sustainability by transforming agricultural waste into a high-value carbon-rich material, with applications in soil enhancement, energy storage, and more.

Carbice has partnered with Noctua to introduce a thermal pad for DIY PC builders that uses vertically aligned carbon nanotube technology. This collaboration brings advanced thermal management solutions, previously used in aerospace and AI infrastructure, to the consumer electronics market.

The article discusses the differences between artificial graphite, made from carbon sources like petroleum coke, and natural graphite, focusing on their applications in the lithium-ion battery industry. Understanding these differences is crucial for battery manufacturers as they select materials that optimize performance, cost, and sustainability in battery production.

India has launched the National Critical Mineral Mission with a budget of 343 billion rupees to boost domestic graphite mining and reduce import dependency by 2031. This initiative is crucial for securing a stable supply of graphite, an essential material for electric vehicle batteries and other clean energy technologies, as India aims to meet its ambitious climate goals.

The International Virtual Institute of Global Changes and COMLURB have converted approximately one ton of urban tree trimmings in Rio de Janeiro into 300 kilograms of biochar and pyrolytic oil using pyrolysis. This initiative transforms municipal green waste into valuable resources for soil improvement and energy research, highlighting a sustainable approach to waste management in the carbon materials sector.

ZNShine Solar has partnered with Solmais to expand the distribution of its photovoltaic modules across Brazil, leveraging Solmais' extensive network. This collaboration is notable for the integration of ZNShine's patented graphene technology, which enhances the efficiency and durability of solar panels.

Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a new method to produce graphene oxide from methane using a plasma-based reactor, which simultaneously generates hydrogen as a byproduct. This scalable approach could reduce reliance on graphite for graphene oxide production, offering a cost-effective alternative for applications in batteries, electronics, and advanced manufacturing.

TCMC has launched Carbonix Materials to develop a U.S. supply chain for graphene. This initiative aims to enhance the availability and integration of graphene in advanced carbon materials, particularly benefiting applications in composites and electronics.

Coffee!Up in the Czech Republic is transforming used coffee grounds into products like natural soap, coffee oil, biomass, and biochar, as highlighted by the European Commission. This initiative is significant for the advanced carbon materials sector because it demonstrates the potential for waste coffee grounds to be converted into valuable materials such as biochar, which can improve soil health and contribute to carbon sequestration efforts.

Researchers at the International Virtual Institute of Global Changes, COPPE/UFRJ, in partnership with COMLURB, have converted one ton of urban pruning waste in Rio de Janeiro into approximately 300 kilos of biochar and pyrolytic oil. This initiative demonstrates the potential of using urban plant waste as a raw material for producing carbon-rich biochar, which can be used as a soil conditioner and for carbon storage, contributing to sustainable waste management and decarbonization efforts.

Integrals Power has been selected as the LMFP supplier for the EU-funded OLiMPUS battery project, which aims for mass production in Europe by 2032. This development is significant for the advanced carbon materials sector as it involves synthetic graphite anodes, which are crucial for reducing the carbon footprint and enhancing the sustainability of battery production.

Pyrum Innovations has announced that its tire recycling plant project in Perl-Besch, Germany is back on track following the successful optimisation of its Dillingen facility, which now produces stable recovered carbon black (rCB). This development is crucial for the advanced carbon materials sector as it demonstrates the viability of producing high-quality rCB, a key component for sustainable tire manufacturing and other applications.

Sparc Technologies announced the expansion of its graphene additive range with a product line called Sparces on June 29, 2026. The move broadens the company's graphene additive offerings, which are relevant to composite and materials manufacturers seeking graphene-based performance enhancements.

GTechPlasma, a spin-off from Instituto Superior Técnico in Lisbon, has developed a plasma-produced graphene powder that its researchers estimate could reduce an F-16's radar signature to that of a bird, and has already supplied 260 grams of the material to a Portuguese drone manufacturer. The development is notable for the graphene sector because it demonstrates a tunable, plasma-based production process capable of reaching 40 milligrams per minute, with industrialization underway through partner company Plasmaphene, targeting a market—radar-absorbent coatings—currently restricted to U.S. suppliers.

Sparc Technologies launched SparcES™, a graphene additive range for ESD and conductive coatings targeting data centres, semiconductor facilities and EV battery plants, following 24 months of internal conductivity testing. The range positions graphene as a potential lower-dosage alternative to carbon black, graphite, carbon nanotubes and metal nanowires in a global ESD and conductive coatings market estimated at US$1.2 billion in 2026.

OCSiAl has been named a single-wall carbon nanotube supplier to Volkswagen Group's battery subsidiary PowerCo for its Unified Cell platform, with supply coming from OCSiAl's audited production facility in Serbia. The deal extends single-wall carbon nanotube use into a major European automaker's standardized battery platform, where the material serves as a conductive additive in graphite anodes to improve conductivity, heat dissipation, and fast-charging performance.

European semiconductor companies raised substantial funding in 2025, with the ten largest rounds ranging from NXP Semiconductors' €1 billion EIB loan down to IQE's £18 million convertible note, spanning AI chips, photonics, power electronics, memory, and chip cooling. Two graphene-focused companies, Paragraf ($55M Series C) and CamGraPhIC (€25M Series A), secured funding to scale graphene-based electronic devices and graphene silicon photonics respectively, signaling continued investor commitment to graphene's commercial role in semiconductors and optical interconnects.

HydroGraph Clean Power Inc. commercially launched Fractal Graphene Paste, a 20% graphene-by-weight aqueous dispersion with a 99.8% carbon purity and over two-year shelf life, and has supplied samples to more than 30 customers. The product targets the graphene sector's core adoption barrier—dispersion difficulty—by delivering a stable, ready-to-use concentrate compatible with standard mixing equipment, which could accelerate graphene uptake in composites, coatings, and construction materials.

Zhongfu Shenying commissioned three high-performance carbon fiber production lines in Lianyungang, Jiangsu on June 28, comprising a 1,000-ton/year T1100-grade aerospace line, a 5,000-ton/year 48K large-tow line, and a 600-ton/year M40 high-modulus line, as the first phase of a CNY6 billion project targeting 30,000 tons of annual capacity. The lines expand China's domestic supply of high-grade carbon fiber across aerospace, wind energy, hydrogen storage, and EV applications, reducing reliance on foreign sources for critical materials.

Gyeongsangbuk-do Province secured 30 billion won in South Korean state funds across three projects targeting graphene 2D nanomaterials, ultra-precise electronic glass, and on-device AI for manufacturing, running from 2026 to 2030. The graphene project, organized by POSTECH Nano Convergence Technology Institute with 14.3 billion won, aims to build Korea's first end-to-end infrastructure covering graphene synthesis through to commercialization, addressing the country's longstanding gap between R&D capability and industrial-scale production.

PowerCo, Volkswagen Group's battery subsidiary, selected OCSiAl to supply TUBALL single-wall carbon nanotube additives for the graphite anodes of its Unified Cell platform, manufactured at OCSiAl's Serbia facility. The deal expands the role of single-wall carbon nanotubes in large-scale EV battery production, with OCSiAl now supplying the majority of European EV battery manufacturers and planning a $300 million graphene nanotube facility in Luxembourg.

Argo Graphene Solutions Corp. (CSE: ARGO) closed a license agreement with Grapherry, Inc. on June 25, 2026, acquiring an exclusive worldwide license to Grapherry's STREAM graphene production platform in exchange for up to 11,000,000 common shares and 5,500,000 warrants, with full technology ownership transferring to Argo upon full share issuance. The deal gives Argo control over a scalable graphene production technology targeting construction, agriculture, and energy storage applications, while Grapherry's CEO Vikas Berry joined Argo's board and the company's existing CEO Scott Smale resigned.

Canada's graphene sector has developed across production, construction, filtration, printed electronics, and energy storage, with companies such as NanoXplore operating a 4,000-metric-ton-per-year facility in Montréal and firms like Zentek and Graphene Leaders Canada advancing application-specific products toward commercial deployment. The ecosystem signals a shift from materials science demonstration toward repeatable industrial use cases in carbon-based composites, conductive additives, and separation technologies, though commercial viability still depends on product qualification, standardization, and cost competitiveness against incumbent materials.

Researchers at POSTECH in South Korea engineered hollow silicon nanotube structures that reduced thermal conductivity by 70% compared to solid silicon nanowires by trapping phonons at near-room temperature. The approach uses abundant silicon compatible with existing semiconductor manufacturing, offering a potential alternative to rare-material-dependent thermoelectric devices for waste heat recovery in data centers, EV batteries, and industrial facilities.

Penn State researchers converted waste PET plastic bottles into synthetic graphite by blending shredded PET with 2.5% graphene oxide by weight and applying heat treatment, producing crystallite dimensions that exceeded those of natural graphite without metal catalysts. The metal-free process reduces post-processing steps needed to achieve battery-grade purity and could supply graphitic carbon for lithium-ion anodes and hard carbon for sodium-ion batteries from a single plastic waste feedstock.

TNB Research has operated an anaerobic digestion and torrefaction pilot facility in Kajang since 2018, processing up to 350kg of food waste daily to produce biogas with 60–65% methane content and 10–30kg of biochar per torrefaction cycle. The biochar output is being evaluated for carbon material applications, soil improvement, and solid fuel enhancement, with data from the pilot intended to inform future scale-up decisions.

BRIN's Molecular Chemistry Research Center used slow pyrolysis to convert empty oil palm fruit bunch waste into bio-oil, liquid smoke, and biochar, with processing times of two to four hours. The process yields biochar as a value-added carbon material and bio-oil containing phenolic compounds usable as industrial boiler fuel or potential fuel additives.

Sicona Battery Technologies validated 600 Wh/kg energy density in graphene-wrapped silicon anode pouch cells at its Wollongong pilot line, achieving 1,200-cycle retention above 80 percent capacity with a 200 MWh/year scale-up targeted for late 2027. The result advances graphene's role as a structural buffer for silicon anodes, a combination the carbon materials and battery sectors have pursued to overcome silicon's volumetric expansion problem at commercial scale.

Scientists at the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science demonstrated a graphene-based terahertz modulator achieving 92% modulation depth at 0.4 THz and switching speeds approaching 100 GHz, with results published in Nature Photonics. The device's fabrication in standard semiconductor cleanroom processes positions graphene as a viable material for scalable 6G wireless components operating in the terahertz band.

Nanospan commercially launched GalvaShield-G, a graphene-enhanced corrosion inhibitor coating for offshore wind turbine towers and monopile foundations, priced at EUR 18 per litre and produced at its Hyderabad facility at 1,200 tonnes per annum capacity. The product demonstrates a commercial application of graphene in protective coatings for harsh marine environments, with third-party-validated maintenance interval extension from 5 to 12 years supporting the case for graphene's functional value in infrastructure composites.

Tsinghua University researchers published a CVD process in Nature Materials that produces single-crystal graphene across 12-inch silicon wafers with defect densities below 1%, using a copper-nickel alloy substrate and a dry-transfer method, achieving carrier mobilities above 16,000 cm²/V·s. The process is compatible with existing semiconductor fab infrastructure and has been licensed to SMIC and TSMC, advancing the prospect of graphene integration into commercial microelectronics manufacturing.

Inspire Nano licensed its graphene-coated copper electrode platform to Furukawa Electric for Asia-Pacific high-frequency signal transmission applications in a deal worth $9 million upfront plus royalties. The graphene coating reduces skin-effect losses at frequencies above 1 GHz by 22 percent, with direct relevance to graphene commercialization in 5G/6G infrastructure and data center cable markets.

Peking University researchers developed a graphene-coated lithium metal electrode that allows solid-state batteries to retain 92% capacity after 5,000 cycles, with findings published in Joule. The graphene coating's role in suppressing dendrite growth at the lithium-sulfide electrolyte interface advances a known barrier to commercial solid-state battery adoption, with scale-up trials planned with two Chinese manufacturers for late 2026.

A Korea University team led by Professor Lee Ji-hye grew 4 cm × 4 cm single-crystal graphene domains on copper foil via modulated CVD with hydrogen pressure cycling, surpassing the previous ~2.5 cm record, as reported in Nature Nanotechnology. The grain-boundary-free films, compatible with existing industrial CVD reactors, achieve carrier mobilities up to 600,000 cm²/V·s, advancing the viability of large-area defect-free graphene for high-performance electronics.

Graphene Manufacturing Group (GMG) submitted a Significant New Use Notice (SNUN) to the US EPA on June 2, 2026, seeking authorization to manufacture, distribute, and sell graphene coatings, lubricants, and fluids domestically in the United States, with approval expected by end of June 2027. The filing marks a shift from export-only access to domestic graphene production in the US, which could establish a local graphene supply chain for industrial applications including HVAC coatings and engine lubricant additives.

Researchers at EMPA demonstrated a graphene-composite leading-edge skin that reduces aircraft de-icing energy consumption by 60%, achieving ice shedding at 5 W/cm² in panels tested at -25°C and 240 km/h after 1,200 cycles without delamination. The result advances graphene's case as a functional heating element within carbon-fibre-reinforced polymer structures for aerospace applications, with EMPA now scaling production toward trial integration in a commercial trainer aircraft.

CSIC researchers developed an 18-micron graphene-polymer composite separator combining polypropylene with 0.5 wt% reduced graphene oxide, achieving 4x greater puncture resistance and a 60% reduction in thermal-runaway initiation temperatures in lithium-ion batteries. The development advances reduced graphene oxide as a functional additive in battery separators, with pilot-scale production underway alongside a Spanish cell manufacturer targeting NCM-based EV applications.

The University of Exeter's Centre for Graphene Science demonstrated a graphene-zinc oxide heterostructure UV photodetector with an 8-nanosecond response time at 365 nm, 10x faster than commercial silicon devices, as published in Advanced Materials. The result advances graphene's case as a functional material in high-speed optoelectronics, with Hamamatsu Photonics engaged for industrial-scale validation and patents filed across three jurisdictions.

NeoGraf commissioned a new production line at its Lakewood, Ohio facility, adding 2,000 tonnes per annum of flexible graphite sheet capacity funded by a $38 million investment, bringing its total to 11,000 tonnes per annum. The expansion increases domestic supply of high-purity exfoliated graphite sheets for EV battery thermal management, where the material's in-plane thermal conductivity above 600 W/m·K at low density addresses a critical requirement for North American automotive manufacturers.

GraphEnergyTech, the University of Cambridge, Taiwan Perovskite Solar Corporation, and ITRI launched the GETPSC project to develop graphene-based electrodes as a replacement for silver electrodes in perovskite solar cells. The project targets a known barrier to commercial-scale perovskite adoption, with potential secondary applications for GraphEnergyTech's conductive carbon technology in batteries, supercapacitors, and electronics.

Premier Graphene Inc and Mitsubishi Pencil Company signed a joint development agreement to co-develop graphene-based conductive inks for printed electronics, targeting two co-branded product launches in late 2026 with a combined first-year revenue target of 12 million USD. The deal advances commercial adoption of single-layer graphene dispersions in printed electronics applications such as RFID tags, smart packaging, and biosensor electrodes.

Graphene Manufacturing Group (GMG) partnered with Australian Supercars team Tickford Racing to trial GMG's liquid graphene products, including G Lubricant and THERMAL-XR, across Tickford's workshop and event infrastructure. The partnership provides GMG with a real-world performance testing environment to generate documented case studies validating its graphene-based lubricant and thermal products for broader industrial customers.

Levidian and Zentek have signed an agreement to explore building a graphene-integrated manufacturing facility in the Middle East, combining Levidian's methane-derived graphene production with Zentek's graphene-enhanced air filters. The deal signals growing regional demand for graphene-enhanced products and positions the Middle East as an emerging hub for graphene manufacturing and deployment across multiple industries.

HydroGraph added Hubron International, a Manchester-based masterbatch and conductive polymer compounder with over 90 years of experience, to its Fractal Graphene Compounding Partner Program on February 10, 2026. The partnership gives HydroGraph access to Hubron's global distributor network and established carbon nanomaterial processing capabilities, supporting broader commercial adoption of graphene in thermoplastic applications across automotive, electronics, and other sectors.

SK On signed a five-year, $180 million supply contract with Hansolchemical for 4,500 tonnes per annum of graphene additive for NCM811 cathodes, with shipments starting Q1 2027. The deal signals growing industrial-scale demand for graphene as a functional cathode additive in EV batteries, and will require Hansolchemical to expand its Gumi facility beyond its current 1,200 tonne per annum capacity.

Researchers developed a 3D porous solar evaporator using recycled carbon fiber combined with a CuO/reduced graphene oxide photothermal layer to improve solar-driven water evaporation performance and salt resistance. The work demonstrates a pathway for valorizing recycled carbon fiber as a functional substrate in graphene-based photothermal composites, linking carbon fiber recycling with emerging solar evaporation applications.