International Graphite Limited (ASX: IG6; FWB: H99) has appointed leading graphite investor and mining financier Aidan Nania as an Executive Director, strengthening the company’s strategic push into Europe and its downstream graphite development plans.
The appointment was announced on 13 January 2026 and is intended to enhance International Graphite’s technical, commercial, and financial capabilities as it advances its European Expandable Graphite Project and broader vertically integrated graphite strategy.
The move comes at a time when demand for battery-grade and specialty graphite is accelerating, driven by Europe’s rapidly expanding electric-vehicle and energy-storage industries.
Key Strategic Appointment
Mr Nania is the Founder and Director of Arctic Graphite AS, which is International Graphite’s joint-venture partner in its European expandable graphite operations. He also previously served as a Director and major shareholder of Skaland Graphite AS, operator of Europe’s largest natural graphite mine in Norway.
Skaland Graphite in Norway, Europe’s largest natural graphite operation, where Aidan Nania previously served as a director and major shareholder. (Source: mineralcommodities)
His appointment brings deep experience across graphite mining, processing, financing, and customer relationships directly onto IG6’s board.
Key highlights of the appointment include:
- Founder and Director of Arctic Graphite AS, IG6’s European JV partner
- Former Director and major shareholder of Skaland Graphite AS
- Extensive experience across mining, processing, financing, and downstream graphite markets
- Strong commercial relationships across European industrial and battery supply chains
This level of industry integration gives International Graphite a rare position among junior graphite companies seeking access to European customers and processing infrastructure.
Economic and Strategic Benefits
Graphite is one of the most critical materials for lithium-ion batteries, with each electric vehicle requiring significantly more graphite than lithium. As EV manufacturing expands across Europe, demand for battery-grade and specialty graphite continues to rise sharply.
Europe’s expanding battery manufacturing sector is driving rising demand for secure regional graphite supply chains. (Source: shutterstock)
At the same time, European manufacturers are seeking to reduce their reliance on Chinese supply chains by securing locally sourced, ESG-compliant materials. Mr Nania’s experience and established footprint in the European graphite industry provide International Graphite with a strategic pathway into this market.
The company stated that his expertise will help support commercialisation, financing, and customer engagement as it advances its downstream processing ambitions.
Resource and Project Development Strategy
International Graphite is developing a vertically integrated graphite business, moving beyond conventional mining into value-added processing and specialty products.
Its European Expandable Graphite Project is targeting high-margin applications, including:
- Flame-retardant building materials
- Thermal management products
- Industrial sealing and insulation
- Advanced battery and energy-storage technologies
Expandable graphite typically attracts higher pricing than raw graphite concentrate, offering stronger margins and reduced exposure to commodity price volatility.
Market and Industry Context
Europe is rapidly building battery manufacturing capacity, with multiple gigafactories under development across Germany, Scandinavia, and Eastern Europe. This has created growing demand for regional graphite supply and processing, particularly for manufacturers focused on sustainability, traceability, and supply-chain security.
With limited natural graphite production in the region, companies with established European operations and partnerships are increasingly well positioned to capture this demand. International Graphite’s relationship with Arctic Graphite and its strengthened board structure aligns the company with this emerging market.
Investor and Market Snapshot
International Graphite shares last traded at $0.067, up $0.001 (1.515%) on the day. The company has a market capitalisation of approximately $12.98 million, with 23,611 shares traded in the latest session and a bid-offer range of $0.062 to $0.066.
International Graphite shares traded at $0.067, giving the company a market capitalisation of approximately $12.98 million. (Source: ASX)
While IG6 remains a small-capitalisation stock, the addition of a major European graphite industry figure to its board is expected to enhance its credibility with investors, customers, and strategic partners.
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Outlook
The appointment of Aidan Nania signals a decisive step in International Graphite’s evolution toward European integration, downstream processing, and higher-value graphite markets.
As global demand for battery and specialty graphite continues to accelerate, IG6’s strengthened leadership and strategic partnerships position the company to participate in one of the most important mineral supply chains of the coming decade.
