NASDAQ-listed Graphjet Technology, a Malaysia-based company that has patented the technology to convert palm kernel shells into graphite and graphene, has announced commencement of operations at its first commercial-scale green graphite facility in Subang Jaya.
This facility is deemed the world’s first commercial-scale plant capable of recycling palm kernel shells – which is a highly abundant agricultural waste byproduct in Malaysia – to produce battery-grade graphite.
It has the capacity to recycle up to 9,000 metric tonnes (MT) of palm kernel shells annually to produce up to 3,000 MT of graphite per year.
This level of production is sufficient to support battery production for approximately 40,000 electric vehicles (EVs) per year.
With a footprint exceeding 91,000 sq ft, Graphjet’s facility will support a local workforce of 200 jobs, underscoring the group’s commitment to job creation and economic growth.
Graphjet which has received its first shipment of palm kernel shells has begun shipping green graphite product samples to its customers. Additionally, the group plans to produce hard carbon at the facility to provide feedstock for its planned green graphite facility in Nevada.
“With this facility online, Graphjet is now the primary player in green graphite production outside of China as we’ve the largest production capacity ex-China,” commented Graphjet CEO and co-founder Aiden Lee Ping Wei.
“This facility which is the first graphite facility to commence operations outside of China, demonstrates our ability to leverage our technology at scale.”
Lee expects the said facility to provide the group with an ability to generate revenue by its FY2025, support Graphjet’s valued customers and establish a strong foundation for its successful launch in Nevada.
“The opening of our facility is a clear indicator of the availability of green graphite production outside of China to support automakers and battery manufacturers,” envisages Lee.
“With Graphjet now officially in commercial production, we are excited to support the transition to clean energy with our environmentally-friendly and cost-effective processes and technology.”
Graphjet’s facility utilises the group’s patented, sustainable and cost-effective technology to produce green graphite directly from palm kernel shells. This technology reduces Graphjet’s operational carbon footprint by up to 83% while reducing costs by up to 80% compared to traditional processes.
More specifically, Graphjet produces only 2.95kg C02 (carbon dioxide) emissions compared to 16.8kg C02 emissions and 17kg C02 emissions from natural and synthetic graphite production respectively in China. – Dec 9, 2024
