valid concerns for sure since this is a readily available substitution for natural. However, it will come down to economics of production. How cheap are cheap renewables? Processing plants, input feedstock prices and availability.
There will at some point be a sharp demand increase imo (and I believe the west will be struggling to meet demand). There will be a place for both natural and synthetic, the thing that is a big bonus for RNU is low cost mining, close to infrastructure, not in Africa etc etc. These tough times are doing a number on many of the graphite hopefulls that would, under early 2021 conditions be pumping and have no issue to progress. In the end, it means less competition for RNU, and longer lead time for supply to increase when demand increases. RNU quietly getting the ducks lined up and sitting on cash until things heat up.
I think alot of investors here (and myself) predicted this would turn a bit quicker, but (imo) larger market forces, including very influential fossil fuel interests and China battery mineral dominance, have held back, what could have been a nice start for electrification after Covid.
Time wise, graphite prices need to come up, and IMO they will do as Western sourced options start to dry up, and or manufacturers start panicking about ex china supply. I am interested to see how trumps tariffs will go in terms of Graphite and battery minerals.
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