Carbon & Graphite – The New Age Gold
Holding a bachelor’s degree in mathematics & Computer engineering from Tufts University, Boston, Vikram incepted Epsilon Carbon in 2010 and has since then diversified into two more entities – Epsilon Advanced Materials and Epsilon Aerospace.
With the Indian government’s ambitious project to achieve 500 GW renewable energy by 2030, the carbon and graphite products market is expected to witness a significant growth in the coming years. However, harnessing this power requires efficient energy storage solutions, and Li-ion batteries are the first go-to due to their reliability, high performance and efficiency. This has in turn resulted in the increased demand for graphite anode materials which is expected to see an increase of over 200 percent over the next four years.
Globally, China currently dominates the graphite and carbon products market. To reduce their dependency on China, many countries are now focused on developing indigenous energy storage solutions and diversify their battery supply chains. We are one of the only handful of companies in the world who are investing in R&D to develop efficient batteries for both India and the world.
Given such fertile conditions the carbon and graphite products market will no doubt experience an upward trajectory with a positive outlook for a sustainable future.
Latest Tech Innovations
Innovation is one of the primary reasons why academic labs and companies are always looking at new ways to improve the technology in this industry. A small selection of materials, metals, and minerals – collectively known as disruptive materials – are critical components in the innovation process. For example, graphene and carbon fibre composites are changing the norms of the industry. We are also witnessing technologies such as Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS) that aims to capture carbon dioxide emissions from industrial processes at power plants and store them safely underground. This technology will play a revolutionary role in our efforts to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate the risks associated with climate change.
Advanced carbon materials like the ones used in Li-ion batteries, supercapacitors and fuel cells, are also undergoing a complete metamorphosis. Currently, our researchers are working on developing advanced carbon materials with improved properties like high performance, higher energy density, faster charging and longer cycle life to make energy storage devices more efficient and reliable. Due to the massive number of innovations happening in the market on a daily basis, it is paramount for stakeholders of the industry to stay updated with the latest trends & technologies that are disrupting traditional practices and creating scope for enhanced innovation, efficiency and sustainability.
Major Growth Factors
With the demand for electric vehicles and green energy at an all-time high, the carbon and graphite market is expected to grow at 9.35 percent CAGR and be worth $30.56 billion by 2030. When it comes to graphite, the wind energy and the Li-ion battery industries have emerged as key drivers for its growth. This can be attributed to three key factors – sustainability regulations, increased consumer demand for greener technologies and OEMs’ commitments to emission reduction targets.
Additionally, the increasing demand for steel, aluminium and other metals has created a need for graphite synthetic electrodes which are essential to produce steel through the electric arc furnace process. This has further driven the demand for graphite, especially for synthetic electrodes. As a result, India is expected to contribute to the growth of the graphite market immensely supported by government policies such as the National Steel Policy.
Future Prospects
As the world transitions towards green energy, there is an increased demand for energy storage solutions and EV batteries. A recent report by a market research firm highlighted that the APAC Battery Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 23.4 percent between 2022-2028. This presents enormous opportunities for manufacturers, supplier, and battery engineers in India. The growth of the market can be attributed to the expanding population of the country, rapid urbanization, decreasing battery manufacturing cost, availability of cutting-edge technology and consumer spending power to upgrade lifestyle.
As the industry continues to grow, the battery recycling market would become a priority for many businesses with special emphasis on ESGs and responsible sourcing of materials. Therefore, companies that prioritize sustainable practices and invest in new technologies that reduce their environmental impact will be well-positioned to thrive in the ever-evolving graphite market.
Graphite is rightly called the ‘new gold’ as it has no substitutes and is a strategic material used as an anode material in Li-ion batteries. As a result, many countries have started to implement critical mineral policies to ensure a steady supply of these minerals. These policies aim to identify and prioritize critical minerals, encourage exploration and development, and establish sustainable supply chains. India’s comprehensive critical minerals (CMs) policy is to be announced soon. This increasing attention to critical minerals like graphite by the government is likely to have a positive impact on the future of the graphite industry. It will boost technological advancements and attract more investments in this sector!
 (1).jpg "Vikram Handa, Founder & Managing Director, Epsilon Advanced Materials")
With the Indian government’s ambitious project to achieve 500 GW renewable energy by 2030, the carbon and graphite products market is expected to witness a significant growth in the coming years. However, harnessing this power requires efficient energy storage solutions, and Li-ion batteries are the first go-to due to their reliability, high performance and efficiency. This has in turn resulted in the increased demand for graphite anode materials which is expected to see an increase of over 200 percent over the next four years.
Globally, China currently dominates the graphite and carbon products market. To reduce their dependency on China, many countries are now focused on developing indigenous energy storage solutions and diversify their battery supply chains. We are one of the only handful of companies in the world who are investing in R&D to develop efficient batteries for both India and the world.
Given such fertile conditions the carbon and graphite products market will no doubt experience an upward trajectory with a positive outlook for a sustainable future.
Latest Tech Innovations
Innovation is one of the primary reasons why academic labs and companies are always looking at new ways to improve the technology in this industry. A small selection of materials, metals, and minerals – collectively known as disruptive materials – are critical components in the innovation process. For example, graphene and carbon fibre composites are changing the norms of the industry. We are also witnessing technologies such as Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS) that aims to capture carbon dioxide emissions from industrial processes at power plants and store them safely underground. This technology will play a revolutionary role in our efforts to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate the risks associated with climate change.
Advanced carbon materials like the ones used in Li-ion batteries, supercapacitors and fuel cells, are also undergoing a complete metamorphosis. Currently, our researchers are working on developing advanced carbon materials with improved properties like high performance, higher energy density, faster charging and longer cycle life to make energy storage devices more efficient and reliable. Due to the massive number of innovations happening in the market on a daily basis, it is paramount for stakeholders of the industry to stay updated with the latest trends & technologies that are disrupting traditional practices and creating scope for enhanced innovation, efficiency and sustainability.
Major Growth Factors
With the demand for electric vehicles and green energy at an all-time high, the carbon and graphite market is expected to grow at 9.35 percent CAGR and be worth $30.56 billion by 2030. When it comes to graphite, the wind energy and the Li-ion battery industries have emerged as key drivers for its growth. This can be attributed to three key factors – sustainability regulations, increased consumer demand for greener technologies and OEMs’ commitments to emission reduction targets.
Additionally, the increasing demand for steel, aluminium and other metals has created a need for graphite synthetic electrodes which are essential to produce steel through the electric arc furnace process. This has further driven the demand for graphite, especially for synthetic electrodes. As a result, India is expected to contribute to the growth of the graphite market immensely supported by government policies such as the National Steel Policy.
Future Prospects
As the world transitions towards green energy, there is an increased demand for energy storage solutions and EV batteries. A recent report by a market research firm highlighted that the APAC Battery Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 23.4 percent between 2022-2028. This presents enormous opportunities for manufacturers, supplier, and battery engineers in India. The growth of the market can be attributed to the expanding population of the country, rapid urbanization, decreasing battery manufacturing cost, availability of cutting-edge technology and consumer spending power to upgrade lifestyle.
As the industry continues to grow, the battery recycling market would become a priority for many businesses with special emphasis on ESGs and responsible sourcing of materials. Therefore, companies that prioritize sustainable practices and invest in new technologies that reduce their environmental impact will be well-positioned to thrive in the ever-evolving graphite market.
Graphite is rightly called the ‘new gold’ as it has no substitutes and is a strategic material used as an anode material in Li-ion batteries. As a result, many countries have started to implement critical mineral policies to ensure a steady supply of these minerals. These policies aim to identify and prioritize critical minerals, encourage exploration and development, and establish sustainable supply chains. India’s comprehensive critical minerals (CMs) policy is to be announced soon. This increasing attention to critical minerals like graphite by the government is likely to have a positive impact on the future of the graphite industry. It will boost technological advancements and attract more investments in this sector!
