Graphite

Graphite is essential for the green transition as the main anode material in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), and a promising anode for other next-generation battery technologies. CAMM-CRM’s graphite research drives innovation across the entire value chain – from exploration to recycling – supporting sustainable and secure European supply.

Summary

Led by Mehdi Parian, Associate Professor in Mineral Processing, the Graphite Research Pillar (RP1) focuses on building a sustainable graphite value chain in Sweden and Europe. The research integrates geology, mineral processing, metallurgy, and environmental studies to advance both scientific understanding and industrial practice.

Northern Sweden is emerging as a strategic graphite hub, with major developments such as Talga’s Nunasvaara deposit, Leading Edge Materials’ Woxna project, Georeality's Sarvisto project and new refining capacity in Luleå. Within this dynamic context, CAMM-CRM’s graphite research builds strong synergies with ongoing LTU initiatives, including the SAE Battery Research School, and will actively work to contribute to the establishment of a Swedish Centre of Excellence on graphite.

Goals

• Reduce Europe’s dependency on imported graphite by supporting a sustainable domestic value chain.
• Advance scientific and technological understanding of graphite deposits.
• Develop sustainable and efficient graphite processing and recycling workflows.
• Mitigate environmental impacts of graphite mining, including Acid Mine Drainage (AMD).
• Integrate research within national and international initiatives.

Research Focus and Key Areas of Work

• Exploration and Geological Understanding
  Geological research examines the structural, stratigraphic, and metamorphic controls on graphite quality to guide more effective exploration. By integrating geophysical and geological data, the team aims to improve targeting precision and reduce exploration risk, leveraging graphite’s distinctive electrical conductivity. Advanced characterization and analytical methods, including Raman spectroscopy, EPMA, SEM, and XRD, are applied to assess crystallinity, mineral associations, and textures.
  
• Mineral Processing and Beneficiation
  Many Swedish graphite deposits are of low grade or complex nature, requiring innovative beneficiation techniques. Research emphasizes comminution, early sulphide rejection, flotation, and purification using acid leaching and thermal treatment to upgrade low-quality, shale-hosted deposits into battery-grade material. These studies include developing geometallurgical criteria for deposit evaluation and opportunities for by-product recovery, providing industry with robust tools for assessing graphite resources. The goal is to create efficient, environmentally responsible processes for domestic graphite production.
  
• Recycling and Circularity
  This research pillar promotes circular strategies for recovering graphite from end-of-life batteries, addressing the current lack of recycling capacity in Europe. The work focuses on developing sustainable purification and regeneration processes – including chemical, thermal, and catalytic methods – to restore spent graphite for reuse. Researchers also investigate physical separation techniques such as sieving, density separation, magnetic and Eddy current separation, and micro- and nano-bubble flotation to recover graphite from black mass produced during battery shredding. These efforts aim to reduce import dependency, enhance resource circularity, and lower the environmental footprint of battery production.
  
• Environmental Management
  Research addresses environmental risks, particularly acid mine drainage (AMD) from sulphide-bearing graphite ores. Studies evaluate dry-stacked tailings and innovative water treatment solutions, such as algae-based metal absorption, with biomass recovery explored as a potential secondary CRM source. Geophysical monitoring is applied to map the spatial and temporal evolution of contamination in the subsurface and to guide remediation.
  
• Integration and Collaboration
  This research pillar collaborates closely with national and international programs to strengthen Sweden’s graphite research ecosystem. By linking scientific innovation with industrial implementation, CAMM-CRM aims to position LTU and its partners as leaders in critical raw materials research for the energy transition. These collaborations will also support the creation of a comprehensive graphite research platform spanning exploration to recycling.

Current Projects

• Geological foundations for graphite in Sweden’s fossil-free energy transition (GEOGRAPHITE)
• Strategies for separation and purification of graphite ores
• Purification and preparation of primary and secondary graphite for battery applications
• Nordic Algae Research for passive wastewater treatment in the Mining Industry (NARMIN-II)