Heya mate.
POSCO recently had an agreement with another ASX graphite play for concentrates, I can't remember which (was it IG6?) but we discussed it here a few months back. I think that agreement had more to do with its metals group rather than batteries, again, not sure this info is complete/accurate. Since we haven't heard much on the RNU MOU, I've put it to back of mind .. for now as with the Mitsubishi MOU - all existing MOUs are non binding, I like certainty, just another personality quirk I have to deal with.
The only samples (concentrates) we've heard about AFAIK is to China and I know (through news, nothing I can quote off hand) they've been buying up/building graphite resources in Africa. I am uncertain what supply demand China would need of RNU.
I posted some stats a while ago that showed North American graphite imports from China, the numbers were so low at that time that I didn't see them as relevant when considering RNU's planned output. However, the status quo has changed and they are trying to build their manufacturing industries - ETA?? no idea but I'm guessing at a few years before they can catch up at earliest. Also in one of my previous posts on RNU, I speculate that the U.S has two options - compete with China for global business or aim to supply it's own needs and reduce reliance on China. With this thought, I'm predicting that China will likely win in global competition, perhaps not local (to U.S) which is where the U.S FTA partners come in - Trump factor unknown.
In another of my posts, I speculated that RNU's primary customers will be either Japanese or Korean due IRA - no idea what Trump is thinking or will do after January WRT tariffs or IRA. I also speculated/predicted that Australia will not be able to compete on a global manufacturing/processing level without significant Governmental support to local industry and likened the outcome to Ford and Holden's demise.
I think completion/operation of the demo plant will start seeing some incoming news WRT PSG samples being sent out.
The elephant in the American room is orange and he has threatened some of Americas closest trading partners to date. How he handles the existing IRA and the FTA partners is yet to be seen. This is one reason I look to Japan and Sth Korea, another is they already have an industrial base ready to go and seem to be the most likely to succeed in any manufacturing competition with China.
Of course everything I say here is my speculation only and as always, open to discussion if someone has differing perspectives to any of my points/thoughts - I generally like to understand both sides of the coin.
Cheers mate.
Add to My Watchlist
What is My Watchlist?
