InVert Graphite acquires RapidPulse™ technology to develop a sustainable, vertically integrated supply chain for producing high-purity battery-grade graphite.
InVert Graphite Limited has taken a significant step toward establishing a fully integrated and sustainable graphite supply chain by signing binding conditional agreements to acquire RapidGraphite Pty Ltd. Through this strategic acquisition, InVert will gain an exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to utilize the advanced RapidPulse™ technology, an innovative catalytic graphitisation process developed by Curtin University. The breakthrough technology has the capability to transform natural graphite into high-purity, battery-grade graphite within seconds, offering a potentially faster and more environmentally responsible alternative to traditional processing methods.
The acquisition represents a crucial milestone in InVert’s long-term vision of developing a vertically integrated graphite business capable of supporting the growing global demand for battery materials. The company plans to combine the RapidPulse™ technology with its wholly owned Morogoro high-grade natural graphite project in Tanzania. This integration is expected to create a streamlined supply chain, enabling InVert to move from graphite extraction to the production of premium battery-grade materials, which are essential components in the rapidly expanding electric vehicle and energy storage sectors.
Early laboratory testing of graphite samples sourced from the Morogoro project has produced encouraging outcomes. The RapidPulse™ process successfully enhanced the quality of the graphite, achieving approximately 99% purity while significantly improving its crystallinity to meet battery-grade requirements. Importantly, these results were achieved without relying on conventional acid purification and chemical washing processes, which are often associated with significant environmental concerns. By eliminating the need for harsh chemical treatments, RapidPulse™ could provide a cleaner and more sustainable pathway for producing advanced graphite materials.
The agreement also establishes a closer collaboration between InVert Graphite and Curtin University, strengthening the connection between industry and academic innovation. As part of the transaction, Curtin University will become a shareholder in InVert, highlighting its confidence in the commercial potential of the RapidPulse™ technology. Furthermore, RapidGraphite is expected to benefit from an A$439,664 AEA Ignite grant awarded by the Australian Government to Curtin University, which will support the continued development and scaling of the technology.
To accelerate further research and development activities, as well as pre-pilot production trials, InVert has secured firm commitments for a A$2.5 million placement from institutional and sophisticated investors. These funds will assist in advancing trials using a Centorr Furnace installed at Curtin University, allowing the company to further validate the technology’s scalability and commercial viability.
Commenting on the development, InVert Managing Director Andrew Lawson emphasized that the Curtin University-developed RapidPulse™ process has demonstrated strong potential when applied to the company’s natural graphite resources. According to Lawson, the technology’s ability to achieve around 99% purity and battery-grade crystallinity within seconds, while completely avoiding environmentally harmful acid purification methods, positions it as a transformative solution for the graphite industry. He further noted that integrating this innovative processing technology with InVert’s Morogoro project places the company on a fast track toward building a vertically integrated, efficient, and potentially more sustainable graphite supply chain for the global battery market.
Market Impact: InVert Graphite's acquisition of RapidPulse™ technology is unlikely to cause any immediate movement in graphite prices tracked by ChemAnalyst, as the deal remains firmly pre-commercial, backed by a modest A$2.5 million raise for R&D and pre-pilot trials. Current market conditions already show significant headwinds, with US graphite prices down over 10% quarter-on-quarter in Q1 2026 due to global oversupply and inventory gluts. However, the medium to long-term implications are more meaningful. With China controlling nearly 70% of natural graphite mining and over 90% of battery-grade processing, Western markets are actively seeking diversified, non-China supply chains. If RapidPulse™ successfully scales its acid-free catalytic graphitisation process — achieving 99% purity in seconds without environmentally harmful hydrofluoric acid — it could gradually compress processing costs and narrow the premium commanded by battery-grade graphite, while simultaneously supporting compliance-driven price premiums for verified-origin, low-carbon graphite under upcoming EU battery passport regulations.
