Chinese battery giant CATL has made an undisclosed investment in CarbonScape to support commercial scale-up and deployment of battery-grade graphite from forestry residues.
New Zealand-founded CarbonScape says its proprietary process converts forestry by-products into battery-grade graphite suitable for lithium ion battery applications.
Under the partnership, announced on July 7, CATL will pool its expertise in industrial battery manufacturing and commercialisation with CarbonScape’s novel bio-graphite technology.
The deal means CATL along with Lochpine Capital — a Hong Kong-based energy market investor — is now a strategic shareholder in CarbonScape. Investment details were not disclosed, but CATL will have representation on CarbonScape’s board.
The partners aim to bring commercial bio-graphite production online by the end of the decade and target auto firms, policymakers and others looking for low-carbon, locally sourced and cost-competitive anode materials for the US and European graphite supply chain.
Other CarbonScape investors include Stora Enso, one of the world’s largest forestry groups.
CarbonScape chief commercial officer Vincent Ledoux-Pedailles said graphite was the forgotten giant of the battery supply chain.
“It is the single largest material in every EV battery by volume, yet the majority of that supply is oil based. What we have built at CarbonScape is the only proven pathway to produce battery-grade graphite from forestry residues, at target cost parity with conventional graphite and with a carbon-negative footprint.”
CarbonScape says graphite represents up to 50% of the battery cell. Each EV contains roughly 50kg-100kg of graphite, more than lithium, nickel, and cobalt, making it one of the most critical materials for the energy transition, the company said.
Oscar Luo, CATL executive president, said CarbonScape’s technology represents a breakthrough in material science. “We are excited to support this pioneering effort — one that aligns with the vision of a zero-carbon future by redefining how critical materials are sourced and produced.”
