Imerys Graphite & Carbon has announced it has closed the acquisition of the Japanese company Nippon Power Graphite (NPG), which holds a patented Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) coating technology for the production of anode materials from natural graphite.
This technology, now fully owned by Imerys Graphite & Carbon, complements the company’s wide portfolio of graphite anode materials and enhances its offering in this market. Specific applications of these products are found in the automotive industry, since they meet specific requirements for electrical vehicles (EV), as well as power storage applications widely used by battery makers.
Along with NPG’s innovative technology, Imerys Graphite & Carbon also acquires production capacity in Japan, which allows the company to service the Asian market with a strong local presence.
The new production facilities and R&D laboratories are located in Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka prefecture (Japan). Former NPG employees joining Imerys Graphite & Carbon’s team bring different backgrounds and experiences to the company, from management and operations to research and development.
Hugues Jacquemin, Vice President & General Manager of Imerys Graphite & Carbon, says: “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. To secure our raw materials supply, we have also been making consistent investments in high-quality mineral resources, as the acquisition, in 2016, of a new natural flake graphite mine in Namibia that complements our Canadian production.”