Recent analysis of the global graphite market highlights the growing importance of establishing secure, transparent and geographically diversified supply chains for battery-grade graphite materials. Demand for graphite, the dominant anode material in lithium-ion batteries, is expected to increase significantly as electric vehicle and energy storage markets continue to expand.
While global graphite resources are considered sufficient, the main challenge lies in processing graphite into battery-grade anode materials. This requires multiple value-adding steps including purification, spheronisation, graphitisation and coating. Today, these downstream processing stages remain heavily concentrated in China, which controls approximately 90% of global anode material production and nearly all graphitisation capacity.
The report highlights that raw graphite alone is not enough to support the energy transition. Building regional processing capacity is essential to reduce supply chain risks and improve resilience for battery manufacturers, automotive companies and governments seeking secure access to critical raw materials.
For Grafintec, these developments reinforce the strategic rationale behind both the Aitolampi graphite project and the planned Graphite Anode Materials Plant (GAMP) in Kotka. Together, these projects aim to contribute to a more transparent, traceable and sustainable European battery materials supply chain by supplying high-purity graphite products for lithium-ion battery applications.
The growing focus on supply chain security is also driving new investments and partnerships across Europe, North America, Japan and Australia as governments and industry seek alternatives to highly concentrated supply networks.
As natural graphite remains a strategic raw material under the EU’s Critical Raw Materials Act, the development of domestic and European graphite processing capacity will play an increasingly important role in supporting Europe’s industrial competitiveness, energy transition and long-term supply security.
Source: Analysis based on the May 2026 graphite supply chain review published by Metalshub and related industry sources.