In its latest announcement on 19 May 2025, Hazer Group Ltd (ASX: HZR) confirmed it had secured $1.15 million in funding from the Australian Research Council (ARC) to support the commercialisation of its synthetic graphite. This material is produced as a by-product of Hazer’s innovative methane pyrolysis process, which enables low-emission hydrogen production. The funding is aimed at accelerating the development of graphite applications across industrial sectors.Source: TipRanks – Hazer Group Secures Funding to Boost Graphite CommercialisationLink: www.tipranks.com/news/company-announcements/hazer-group-secures-funding-to-boost-graphite-commercialisation
While this week’s update focuses on funding, earlier announcements – particularly in partnership with Mitsui & Co., Ltd. – outlined three key areas where Hazer’s graphite holds strong commercial promise: steel and chemical industries, thermal energy storage, and water purification, particularly for the removal of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) contaminants.Source: Chemanalyst – Hazer and Mitsui Extend MoU to Explore Graphite OpportunitiesLink: www.chemanalyst.com/NewsAndDeals/NewsDetails/hazer-and-mitsui-extend-mou-to-explore-graphite-opportunities-in-hydrogen-production-30875
A comparison of these applications with current graphite market prices highlights their varied economic potential:
Steel and Chemical Industries:Hazer’s graphite is being assessed for use in blast furnaces and chemical processing. These applications do not require ultra-high purity, and in fact, the residual iron content may be advantageous. Market pricing for such industrial-grade graphite typically ranges from A$1,000 to A$3,500 per tonne (roughly US$700–$2,500), comparable to unrefined graphite concentrate or low-purity synthetic graphite.Sources: Fastmarkets, Roskill
Thermal Energy Storage:Thanks to its excellent thermal conductivity and stability, Hazer’s graphite is being trialled as a medium for storing heat in industrial and renewable energy systems. While not requiring battery-grade purity, these applications demand strong material performance. Graphite for this purpose is generally valued at A$5,000 to A$10,000 per tonne (US$3,500–$7,000), depending on technical specifications and thermal cycling durability.Sources: Roskill, Wood Mackenzie Battery Materials Outlook
Water Purification and PFAS Removal:This application offers the highest potential value. Due to its high surface area and adsorption capabilities, Hazer’s graphite is well-suited for advanced filtration systems designed to remove persistent organic pollutants like PFAS. This is a rapidly expanding market with regulatory momentum, especially in the US and Europe. High-grade adsorbent materials in this field can fetch A$10,000 to A$20,000 per tonne, sometimes more – pricing on par with premium activated carbon or engineered carbon materials.Sources: BloombergNEF, Benchmark Mineral Intelligence
The ARC funding reinforces the broader commercial potential of Hazer’s low-emissions graphite. While the steel and chemical industries offer a pathway to early volume sales, the water treatment sector – particularly in PFAS remediation – stands out as a high-value, high-margin opportunity. Meanwhile, thermal energy storage offers an attractive middle ground between scale and pricing. Hazer’s diversified application strategy provides flexibility, allowing it to engage multiple industries while managing market and technology risks.
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