Graphinex Advances Australian Graphite Capability with Support from Strategic Partners
Graphinex continues to progress its mission to build sovereign graphite capability in Australia, with continued support from strategic partners including Idemitsu and Wattlestone.
The Queensland-based company is developing vertically integrated graphite production, spanning exploration through to anode material manufacturing for lithium-ion batteries. Its latest funding round, led by existing investors Idemitsu Australia and Baramulti Group, strengthens the foundation for its next phase of growth and reflects the increasing strategic importance of graphite within the global energy transition.
For Wattlestone, this represents a key investment within our broader electrification and energy transition theme, focused on supporting high-quality Australian projects that contribute to long-term industrial capability. Wattlestone was the first investor to join the Graphinex register, providing early support to the company’s vision and leadership team.
Graphinex was founded by energy and resources executive Art Malone and Queensland Renewable Energy Council director Tom Northcott. Since inception, the company has raised more than $27 million across multiple rounds, building strong momentum toward commercialisation.
Earlier this year, Graphinex commissioned its demonstration processing facility in Townsville, supported by both the Federal and Queensland Governments. The facility will process graphite from the company’s Esmeralda Project in North Queensland—considered one of Australia’s largest undeveloped graphite resources.
The new capital will support final feasibility work and preparation for construction of a full-scale manufacturing facility. Graphinex is also in discussions with international battery and automotive manufacturers regarding offtake agreements, positioning itself as an alternative source of high-quality graphite outside China’s supply chain dominance.
As global demand for electric vehicles and energy storage accelerates, domestic production of battery-grade materials represents a critical step in Australia’s industrial and energy future. Graphinex’s advancement marks meaningful progress toward that objective.
