Hi, I may be wrong but I highly doubt any new chemical purification of graphite operations would get permitted in the developed world, that is because less polluting alternative methods do exist (thermal purification), it is also a strong marketing tool in terms of convincing buyers to switch supply chain from chinese chemically purified graphite to environmentally respectful thermal graphite operations in the west. there is also competition from synthetic graphite which is thermally baked using petroleum coke and more expensive than natural graphite. I always wondered how the hell Syrah could get permittted in louisian in the US, and it seems my inital intuition was true : they wont ! at least not easily, not without a fight, but is it worth it marketing wise in the long run ? i highly doubt it.
"Graphite operations can also lead to pollution because their chemicals leak into local waters. According to industry sources, the purifying process, especially in China, is commonly done with acids, often hydrofluoric acid, a highly toxic substance.
This method is cheaper than the one used in other countries, where the graphite is purified by “baking,” — that is, heating it up. Riddle, of Asbury Carbons, said refining graphite that way is better for the environment but adds about 15 percent to the price. He said that for the past 20 years his company has insisted on purchasing only graphite refined this way.
“We had hoped more companies and users would follow our lead, but this has not been the case,” Riddle said."
(20min delay)