French minerals company Imerys Graphite & Carbon has strengthened its international grip on the lithium-ion materials market with a buy-out of a Japanese company.
The firm has obtained graphite surface treatment technology after buying Japanese company Nippon Power Graphite (NPG), which held a patented Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) coating technology.
The technology allows for the production of anode materials from natural graphite.
This technology, now fully owned by IGC, adds to its portfolio of graphite anode materials and enhances its offering in this market.
The deal, which included NPG’s production facilities and R&D laboratories in Fukuoka prefecture, Japan, allows the company to strengthen it grip on the Asian market with a local presence.
Hugues Jacquemin, vice president & general manager of IGC said: “With this acquisition, we move forward in the implementation of our strategy to position ourselves as a key player in the growing lithium-ion battery market, in particular for EV.”
In a bid to secure its raw materials supply, IGC has been making consistent investments in mineral resources, such as its joint venture last year with gecko Namibia for natural flake graphite in Africa.
