Graphite

Graphite is a critical component of lithium-ion batteries and electric vehicle production will drive increased demand for the material.

Graphite

Graphite has multiple applications, particularly in refractories where it is used in steelmaking. However, future demand for graphite is likely to be driven by electric vehicle manufacturers as the material is a key component of lithium-ion batteries. China is the largest graphite producer, accounting for over 65.50% percent of global graphite production in 20202022, followed by Mozambique at 13%.i China also has substantial graphite reserves at approximately 15%.ii, although Turkey has the largest known reserves are in Turkeyat approximately 27%, which currently contributes less than 1 percent of global graphite supply.iii  

While graphite is used in the clean energy transition, it has been linked to several ESG issues. These included air and water pollution from graphite mining in China and risks of forced labour, as graphite production takes place in countries which have high risks of forced labour.TDi’s salience data indicates that graphite is perceived to have generally limited exposure to ESG issues. Nevertheless, a small number of reports concerning air and water pollution in graphite mining in China indicate that the potential negative environmental impacts that can be associated with the material. These environmental problems underpin resistance to prospective graphite mines and may drive company-community conflict where risks are poorly managed 

Main uses and applications

Natural graphite is a form of elemental carbon, which is crystalline, opaque and soft. It exhibits metal and non-metal attributes. Metallic attributes include thermal and electrical conductivity, while non-metallic attributes include inertness, high thermal resistance and lubricity. These physical and chemical attributes makes it difficult to substitute graphite with other materials in industrial applications.iv  

Natural graphite has several industrial applications. The European Commission reports that its dominant application is in refractories for steelmaking. Additional applications include foundries, graphite shapes, lubricants, recarburising, pencils and friction products.v is used for refractories, batteries, foundries and recarburising.vi Graphite accounts for 90% percent of the anode materials used in lithium-ion batteries, widely known for being used in electric vehicles.vii According to UNCTAD, graphiteIt is increasingly being used in other renewable energy technologies such as large-scale fuel cells, solar cells, and nuclear reactors, as well asand rechargeable batteries.viii  

Key Countries

Top Producer

China

Top Reserves

Turkey

Supply Chain Risk

TDi Sustainability's data rates Graphite's association with the following issues as high or very high:

Country Governance Risks

Graphite's association with countries experiencing: