Specialist graphite producer Tirupati Graphite has commissioned Stage 1 of its Tirupati Graphene and Mintech Research Centre (TGMRC), in India, which is focused on graphene manufacturing and applications development, advanced materials development and mineral processing technology development.
Commissioning of Stage 1 marks the start of revenue generating activities from TGMRC and enables the company to advance current and prospective commercialisation engagements.
Current facilities are capable of manufacturing up to a 1 kg a day of graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide and aluminium graphene composite materials using the zero-chemical process developed by Tirupati.
Ongoing development is anticipated to expand the manufacturing capacities up to 10 kg/d.
The facilities will also manufacture 1 t a day of high-purity graphite.
Additionally, various facilities have been installed for the mineral processing technology division, Mintech, including high-tech metallurgical testing and mineral processing equipment and technology development.
CEO Shishir Poddar believes material innovation and technology development will be one of the biggest drivers for economic growth given the company’s potential to contribute extensively to the reduction of greenhouse-gas emissions.
“We are, therefore, delighted to be at the forefront of this exciting space having commenced commercial production at our new high-tech graphene and technology research and development centre in India,” he comments.
Tirupati has graphite and graphene projects in Madagascar and India.