Graphite Flows in the U.S.: Insights into a Key Ingredient of Energy Transition

Demand for graphite will grow with expanding use of lithium-ion
batteries in the United States. Much graphite is imported, raising
supply chain risks. It is therefore imperative to characterize graphite’s
sources and sinks. Accordingly, we present the first material flow
analysis for natural and synthetic graphite in the U.S. The analysis
(for 2018) begins with processed graphite trade and includes graphite
production, graphite product trade, manufacturing of end products,
end product use, and waste management. It considers 11 end-use applications
for graphite, two waste management stages, and three recycling pathways.
In 2018, 354 thousand tonnes (kt) of processed graphite were consumed
in the U.S., including 60 kt natural graphite and 294 kt synthetic
graphite. 145 kt of graphite were traded. Refractories and foundries
consumed 56% of natural graphite; 42% of synthetic graphite went into
making graphite electrodes. Batteries accounted for 10 and 5% of natural
and synthetic graphite consumption, respectively; 78% of total graphite
used dissipated into the environment; 22% reached the waste disposal
stage of which 71% was landfilled and 29% was recycled; and 59 kt
of graphite accumulated in in-use stocks. Recycling more graphite
and producing graphite from lignin would favorably influence today’s
supply chain.