ExxonMobil has acquired the US-based assets and technology of Superior Graphite, along with select international offices, to enter the synthetic graphite market. The move supports the development of a domestic supply chain for battery anode materials used in electric vehicles and battery energy storage systems.
According to ExxonMobil, the acquisition adds over a century of graphite expertise from Superior Graphite. The deal enables ExxonMobil to combine Superior Graphite’s proprietary processes, intellectual property and production know-how with its own scale, operational capabilities and technology to expand synthetic graphite production in the United States.
Synthetic graphite is used in lithium-ion battery anodes, influencing both energy density and battery performance. Compared to mined graphite, synthetic graphite is “less labour-intensive, more consistent in quality, and can be made with our carbon-rich feedstocks from existing refining streams.”
“What does that mean in plain English? That we can scale faster and smarter, all while producing a better graphite than what is available in the market today”, ExxonMobil adds.
The latter anticipates growing demand for high-performance graphite as EV adoption and stationary energy storage deployment increase globally. The company also expects that the integration of Superior Graphite’s technology with its capabilities will support higher-performing battery materials, potentially improving charge rates and extending battery life.
By producing synthetic graphite locally, ExxonMobil aims to strengthen the supply of critical minerals required for the energy transition. The integration also contributes to American jobs and economic growth in the advanced materials sector. “Together, we’re building a graphite business that supports American industry, energy security, and the critical mineral supply chain the US needs to lead the energy future,” the energy company writes.
exxonmobil.com, superiorgraphite.com
