- Renascor (RNU) secures a license from German company Dorfner ANZAPLAN for a hydrofluoric acid-free graphite purification process
- The absence of HF acid in the process is crucial for Australian domestic production, given the strict environmental regulations and associated costs
- In China, where environmental laws are more lenient, the prevalent use of HF acid is economically viable due to lower acid disposal costs
- The new process will be implemented at Renascor’s proposed manufacturing facility in South Australia
- Renascor last traded at 14 cents
Renascor (RNU) has executed a licensing agreement with German laboratory services provider Dorfner ANZAPLAN to secure its rights to access a hydrofluoric acid (HFA)-free process for making spherical graphite.
The HFA-free process will be utilised at Renascor’s upcoming downstream manufacturing facility in South Australia, introducing next-gen European technology to the Australian shores.
The absence of HFA is expected to significantly enhance Renascor’s prospects of producing a battery-compatible graphite product. This achievement is notoriously challenging outside of China, largely due to China’s lenient environmental regulations related to disposing of high levels of acid.
Renascor recently conducted a study on its ability to produce battery anode material, a crucial component of EV batteries in which graphite plays a role.
The study employed the HFA-free process and demonstrated that the company can achieve a price of US$1846 per tonne of graphite over the project’s 40-year lifespan.
By introducing the HFA-free process to Australia, the company aims to bolster domestic production. The effectiveness of the process was initially validated in December 2021 when Renascor’s graphite flakes responded positively to the treatment, which eliminates the need for additional water treatment.
“The optimisation trials conducted with Dorfner ANZAPLAN have resulted in the development of a process that we expect will result in both greater operational efficiency and positive ESG outcomes by reducing water consumption,” RNU Managing Director David Christensen said.
“This improved purification process has been incorporated in the engineering and design for our recently completed Battery Anode Material Study … we look forward to our continuing collaboration with Dorfner ANZAPLAN as we advance into construction.”
Renascor is currently contesting a patent application filed in Australia by a third party in April 2022, seeking to secure rights to a broadly defined purification process. However, the company asserts that its new license agreement with Dorfner is entirely separate and unaffected by the ongoing arbitration.
Renascor last traded at 14 cents.