Pankaj Jain
Graphite, a critical mineral valued for its superior thermal and electrical conductivity, lubricity, and chemical stability, is essential for clean energy and industrial applications, including lithium-ion battery anodes for electric vehicles (EVs), refractories, and graphene production. This review synthesizes global and Indian perspectives on graphite’s geological characteristics (flake, amorphous, and vein ores), beneficiation techniques (froth flotation, gravity separation, film flotation, two-liquid flotation, microwave irradiation, and alkali roasting), production trends, commercial grades, price dynamics, trade patterns, and projections to 2047. India, leveraging 174.85 million tonnes of resources (8.6 million tonnes economically viable), increased production from 25,600 metric tons in 2023 to 27,800 metric tons in 2024, supported by policy initiatives like mineral block auctions. Globally, natural graphite production reached 1.6 million metric tons in 2023 (77% from China), with synthetic graphite at 3 million metric tons in 2024, projected to grow to 4.0 and 5.5 million metric tons by 2047, respectively. In 2024, global imports (480,000 MT) and exports (671,000 MT) reflect China’s dominance and emerging African trade, with India’s imports (74,200 MT) declining as production rises. Prices for high-purity flake and spherical graphite ranged from $2,000–$4,700/tonne in 2024, with forecasts of $3,000–$12,000/tonne by 2047, driven by EV demand (215 million vehicles by 2030) and supply diversification. Innovations in eco-friendly refining and sustainability efforts enable applications in 3D printing, aerospace, and nuclear reactors. Uniquely, this review offers plant-scale benchmarks, advanced separation methods for large flakes, deposit-to-market mapping, and EV-scenario price modeling, guiding stakeholders toward sustainable graphite development in a carbon-constrained world.