Benchmark Minerals Week: Graphite+Anodes Notes from the Floor

This year’s Graphite+Anodes event, held as part of Benchmark Minerals Week, is now done, and for the Investing News Network it was a busy one.

There was no shortage of industry experts and company CEOs to talk to, and of course there were presentations and panels to take in as well.

If you weren’t able to make it to the event, which ran from October 22 to 23, don’t worry — here’s a quick look at the main highlights of the show. Scroll on to read more about what happened on the floor, and stay tuned for our upcoming written and audio coverage.

Graphite+Anodes 2018: Day 1

Day one kicked off with a presentation about the state of the graphite market by Benchmark Mineral Intelligence Senior Analyst Andrew Miller. Some of the discussion points he covered were the need for supply diversification, the debate between natural and synthetic graphite selection and what could happen if new anode battery technology is adopted.

“#China dominates the anode market, which is creating increasing concerns about the state of global supply,” says @amiller_bmi at #Benchmark2018 @benchmarkmin

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) October 22, 2018

“We’ve seen a big growth in the #graphite market in value added applications,” says @amiller_bmi at #Benchmark2018 @benchmarkmin

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) October 22, 2018

“Developments in battery #technology are being made but #graphite will remain a central component of advanced #lithium-ion chemistries for at least the next 5 to 10 years,” says @amiller_bmi at #Benchmark2018 @benchmarkmin

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) October 22, 2018

“Demand outlook for graphite is very strong,” says @amiller_bmi at #Benchmark2018 @benchmarkmin

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) October 22, 2018

Another morning highlight was a keynote presentation from one of the world’s largest natural graphite anode producers in the market, BTR New Energy Materials. The talk focused on what might be the anode choice for manufacturers in the future.

Next up: BTR New Energy Materials giving a presentation about natural #graphite and anode materials #Benchmark2018 @benchmarkmin pic.twitter.com/IoLCBmh8hv

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) October 22, 2018

To wrap up the first session of the day, Dr. Saad Hasan, advanced technology engineer at General Motors (NYSE:GM), discussed the advantages and disadvantages of synthetic and natural graphite as part of his presentation on the era of the lithium-ion battery.

“Silicon could help meet new BEV requirements through judicious design and capacity utilization,” says Dr Saad Hasan of @GM at #Benchmark2018 @benchmarkmin

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) October 22, 2018

“Synthetic #graphite could support fast charging requirements, but cost improvements are needed,” says Dr Saad Hasan of @GM at #Benchmark2018 @benchmarkmin

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) October 22, 2018

“Different vehicle design and requirements for low voltage systems and BEVs impose different battery challenges,” says Dr Saad Hasan of @GM at #Benchmark2018 @benchmarkmin

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) October 22, 2018

After a short networking break, session two started with a keynote presentation by one of the world’s leading silicon anode producers, Shanghai Shanshan Technology. The company’s director of technology, Yongmin Qiao, shared his insight on synthetic graphite and anode materials in China.

Session two at #Graphite+#Anodes kicks off with a presentation from Yongmin Qiao of Shanghai Shanshan Tech who talks about the development of #lithium-ion and the problems that need to be solved: energy, power and cost. @benchmarkmin #Benchmark2018

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) October 22, 2018

Yongmin Qiao says between 2013 and 2017 the use of artificial graphite in anodes increased rapidly #anodes #graphite #Benchmark2018

— Benchmark Minerals (@benchmarkmin) October 22, 2018

One of the most-awaited presentations of the conference was from Shaun Verner, CEO of Syrah Resources (ASX:SYR), which is ramping up the largest natural flake graphite project in the world. He started by addressing the current state of the Balama operation and then moved on to the company’s strategy to supply the market, which remains the big question for many junior miners.

“Despite the five-week interruption, we are overall very positive about the Balama #graphite operations,” says Shaun Verner CEO of @SyrahResources at #Benchmark2018 @benchmarkmin

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) October 22, 2018

“In 2018 the share of our operation is 15% of the global market, that will increase to 35-40% once we are at full capacity,” says Shaun Verner of @SyrahResources at #Benchmark2018 @benchmarkmin

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) October 22, 2018

“#Graphite is expected to maintain its dominance in #anode consumption and natural graphite is expected to increase its market share as cost pressures increase,” says Shaun Verner of @SyrahResources at #Benchmark2018 @benchmarkmin

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) October 22, 2018

After that, Wei Liu, president of BAIC Motors-Heilongjiang Pride New Material Technology, talked about his company and development trends in China’s new energy automobile industry.

Wei Lu says in 2017 BAIC group was No.1 in the world for EV sales by volume, beating Tesla by 72 units! #Benchmark2018 #EVs

— Benchmark Minerals (@benchmarkmin) October 22, 2018

Imerys was also present at the Graphite+Anodes conference, with Fabrizio Corti, business director, giving a presentation on the battery supply chain and its impacts on the graphite world.

“Demand for #graphite is expected to experience an unprecedented growth with #lithium-ion battery manfacturers to increase capacity significantly,” says Fabrizio Corti of @Imerys at #Benchmark2018 @benchmarkmin

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) October 22, 2018

In the afternoon, Sam Jaffe, managing director of Cairn ERA, shared his forecast on the battery market, from lithium ion in electric cars to energy storage.

“We expect the global market for all batteries to grow from 100GWh in 2017 to 783 GWh in 2027,” says @samjaffe at #Benchmark2018 @benchmarkmin

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) October 22, 2018

“By 2020 the overwhelming majority of #energy storage systems throughout the world will be used for peak shifting,” says @samjaffe at #Benchmark2018 @benchmarkmin

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) October 22, 2018

During session three, many companies exploring and developing projects around the world had a chance to share their milestones, including: Bass Metals (ASX:BSM), Battery Minerals (ASX:BAT) and Northern Graphite (TSXV:NGC).

To close the day, Albert Li, China analyst at Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, shared insight on the state of the anode supply chain in the Asian country.

“The growing #battery industry will bring many more opportunities for #graphite,” says Albert Li of @benchmarkmin at #Benchmark2018

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) October 23, 2018

Graphite+Anodes 2018: Day 2

Day two of Graphite+Anodes kicked off with a presentation from Australia-listed Talga Resources (ASX:TLG).

Day 2 of #graphite+#anodes kicks off #Benchmark2018 pic.twitter.com/IpMNgnbmdH

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) October 23, 2018

“We’re after the holy grail of anodes, which is higher power and energy at the same time” says Mark Thompson, MD, Talga Resources #Benchmark2018 #anodes #graphite

— Benchmark Minerals (@benchmarkmin) October 23, 2018

Session four, which focused on the technical side, continued with Richard Clark of Morgan Advanced Materials. Clark talked about the impact of anode demand in traditional markets compared to emerging markets.

“The carbon #graphite market was 55 million tons in 2017, with 35.51 of those going to #anodes for aluminum production,” says Richard Clark of Morgan Advance Materials at #Benchmark2018

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) October 23, 2018

“Of the 1.20 MT of natural #graphite mined only about 380,000 tons is suitable as feed material for #lithium-ion batteries,” says Richard Clark of Morgan Advanced Materials at #Benchmark2018

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) October 23, 2018

To wrap up the session, Dr. Joseph Li of Superior Graphite touched again on the subject of anode material selection.

Next up at #Benchmark2018: @supergraphite discussing #anode material selection, natural vs synthetic pic.twitter.com/VbHYupgR04

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) October 23, 2018

“Natural #graphite has higher capacity, lower BET and lower cost. Synthetic #graphite has a longer cycle life and lower swelling,” says Dr Joseph Li of @supergraphite at #Benchmark2018

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) October 23, 2018

“Blends of natural and synthetic #graphite will be more utilized to maintain high capacity, long cycle life and low cost,” says Dr Joseph Li of @supergraphite at #Benchmark2018

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) October 23, 2018

Andy Leyland, head of forecasting at Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, started off session five with his outlook for graphite from 2018 to 2040.

“Government policies continue to drive investments in #batteries, #EVs and charging infrastructure but no raw materials,” says Andy Leyland of @benchmarkmin to start session five of #graphite+#anodes at #Benchmark2018

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) October 23, 2018

“I wouldn’t be surprised if you start seeing the VWs and Teslas of this world locking in graphite supplies” says Andy Leyland #graphite #anodes #Benchmark2018

— Benchmark Minerals (@benchmarkmin) October 23, 2018

“Our view is that the graphite anode market is 152k tonnes this year and that it will increase to 1.2m tonnes in 2025” says Andy Leyland #anodes #graphite #Benchmark2018

— Benchmark Minerals (@benchmarkmin) October 23, 2018

During the afternoon, more companies were able to share about their projects, including: Hexagon Resources (ASX:HXG), Kibaran Resources (ASX:KNL) and Westwater Resources (NASDAQ:WWR).

The last session of the conference focused on alternative anode technologies and started with David Deak, formerly of Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) and Lithium Americas (NYSE:LAC,TSX:LAC), talking about what the future could look like for anode technology.

“To develop anodes some important factors to consider are cost and performance,” says David Deak at #Benchmark2018

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) October 23, 2018

“Graphite is the key material today. The best anode material out there is a blend of natural and synthetic graphite” says David Deak #Benchmark2018

— Benchmark Minerals (@benchmarkmin) October 23, 2018

Deak’s presentation was followed by Craig Weich of Sila Technologies, who shared his insight on silicon anodes, and then Doug Campbell of Solid Power, who talked about solid-state batteries and lithium anodes.

“New formats and investment in #lithium metal production is needed to enable next-generation batteries,” says Doug Campbell of @SolidPowerInc at #Benchmark2018

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) October 23, 2018

“Solid-state batteries for non-transportation markets will be here in less than 5 years, but for transportation it will happen in the next 5-10 years,” says Doug Campbell of @SolidPowerInc at #Benchmark2018

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) October 23, 2018

Before the end of the event, attendees had the chance to hear more about lithium metal anodes from Mark Cooksey of CSIRO and about next-generation graphite-based anodes from Dr. Sanshiro Nagare of NARA Machinery group.

The Investing News Network was busy during the two-day event, conducting interviews with companies and experts, including: Syrah Resources, Stephen Riddle of Asbury Carbons, David Anonychuk of M.Plan International, Bass Metals and Solid Power, among many others. Interviews will be posted over the next week or so, so stay tuned!

You can also click here to read our overview of the Graphite+Anodes component of Benchmark Minerals Week.

Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Resource for real-time updates!

Securities Disclosure: I, Priscila Barrera, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.