Northern Graphite Corporation Partners with Alkeemia for Graphite Purification Technology

Strategic Insights -

Northern Graphite Corporation (NGC), a Canadian company specializing in graphite production, has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Alkeemia S.p.A. to take up to 50% of Alkeemia's Graphite Purification Pilot Plant capacity in Porto Marghera, Italy. The partnership aims to demonstrate the scalability of Alkeemia's internally developed and lab-verified High-Pressure (HF) purification process, which has a lower carbon footprint and is simpler, faster, and less toxic than conventional methods.

The partnership represents a significant step for Northern Graphite in securing access to high-purity graphite output for testing and qualification in downstream applications. The plant will have a nameplate capacity of approximately 200 tonnes per year and a planned Start of Production (SOP) in the first quarter of 2026. Northern has committed to taking 50% of the pilot plant's capacity (100 tonnes per year) under a definitive toll processing agreement.

Northern Graphite's Chief Executive Officer, Hugues Jacquemin, emphasized the importance of the partnership in strengthening ties with Europe as the energy transition progresses. The agreement aims to reduce dependence on Chinese-controlled critical mineral supply chains, which has come under increasing scrutiny following China's announcement of new export controls on lithium battery raw materials, manufacturing equipment, and processing technologies.

Key Takeaways:

  • Northern Graphite Corporation has partnered with Alkeemia S.p.A. to take up to 50% of Alkeemia's Graphite Purification Pilot Plant capacity in Porto Marghera, Italy.
  • The partnership aims to demonstrate the scalability of Alkeemia's HF purification process, which has a lower carbon footprint and is simpler, faster, and less toxic than conventional methods.
  • Northern has committed to taking 50% of the pilot plant's capacity (100 tonnes per year) under a definitive toll processing agreement.
  • The partnership represents a key step in building Western-based, vertically integrated supply chains for graphite and battery anode materials.
  • The agreement comes as Western nations intensify efforts to reduce dependence on Chinese-controlled critical mineral supply chains.
  • The partnership reflects the company's focus on becoming a world leader in producing natural graphite and upgrading it into high-value products critical to the green economy.

Statistics:

  • The plant will have a nameplate capacity of approximately 200 tonnes per year.
  • Northern will take 50% of the pilot plant's capacity (100 tonnes per year) under the definitive toll processing agreement.
  • The planned Start of Production (SOP) for the plant is in the first quarter of 2026.

Sources:

  • Northern Graphite Corporation press release, "Northern Graphite Corporation Signs Letter of Intent with Alkeemia S.p.A. for Graphite Purification Technology" (November 3, 2025)
  • Alkeemia S.p.A. press release, "Alkeemia S.p.A. and Northern Graphite Corporation Announce Partnership for Graphite Purification Technology" (November 3, 2025)