China announced new export restrictions on certain graphite...

1. China announced new export restrictions on certain graphite products, effective December 1, 2024
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2. The restrictions require Chinese exporters to apply for permits to ship two types of graphite materials:
   • High-purity, high-hardness, and high-intensity synthetic graphite material
   • Natural flake graphite and its products
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3. These controls are not specifically targeted at the United States but are country-agnostic, potentially impacting any of China's top customers, including Japan, the United States, India, and South Korea
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4. The restrictions are likely a response to expanded U.S. controls on semiconductor and AI technology exports to China
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5. While not a complete ban, these new measures could significantly impact the supply chain for electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturing, as graphite is a key component in EV battery anodes
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6. About 93 percent of Korea’s anode materials, and 90 percent of Japan’s graphite, comes from China.
7. South Korea’s trade minister Ahn Duk-geun asserted that his country “is prepared to look for alternative sources of graphite if China’s newly strengthened export controls on the key material used in electric-vehicle batteries cause a severe shortage.”
8. In order to stay ahead, large automotive industry players have been investing in mining projects to ensure a more steady supply of battery inputs. However, getting these mines ready for operations takes between 5 to 10 years, and these projects are still largely in preproduction.

https://www.csis.org/analysis/chinas-new-graphite-restrictions