BGV Group Management received the results of research and development work on thermal enrichment, spheroidization, and production of coated spherical graphite (CSPG) from the concentrate of the Balakhiv deposit within the framework of the BGV Graphite project.

American Energy Technologies (Wheeling, Illinois) conducted the research throughout 2025 and early 2026 alongside Rozvytok Pobuzhzhia LLC, the BGV Group Management subsidiary spearheading the BGV Graphite project.

Testing uses a flotation graphite concentrate, a product of primary enrichment that separates graphite from waste rock, thereby significantly increasing carbon content.

Thermal purification achieved a carbon purity level of 99.999+%, meeting the stringent requirements for battery-grade anode materials in lithium-ion batteries and other high-tech industrial applications.

The research also verified the feasibility of obtaining spheroidized graphite with a 65% yield and its subsequent conversion into coated spherical graphite (CSPG) for anode applications. Specifically, the process yields 65% spherical graphite from 100% of the initial graphite following spheroidization.

The results confirm the technological feasibility of processing graphite from the Balakhiv deposit into battery-grade anode materials.

It should be noted that last year, as part of the BGV Graphite pilot project, a research sample of anode material for a lithium-ion battery was already tested. The anode was based on spherical graphite obtained from the enriched concentrate of the Balakhiv deposit. Graphite spheroidization was performed in October 2024 at NETZSCH’s facilities. The testing results showed that the electrochemical indicators meet world standards.

Additionally, in June 2025, the BGV Graphite project became the only Ukrainian initiative included in the European Commission’s list of 194 strategic projects. The Balakhiv graphite deposit was officially recognized as part of the European Union’s strategic framework for critical raw materials, a decision formally approved by the European Commission.

The Balakhivske graphite deposit in Ukraine, currently being developed by BGV Group Management, founded by Gennadii Butkevych, has been officially recognized as part of the European Union’s strategic initiative in the field of critical raw materials. The corresponding decision was approved by the European Commission.

This project is a milestone — we’re talking about the development of one of the largest graphite deposits in the world, located in Ukraine. BGV Graphite is the only project from Ukraine included in the list of 194 initiatives deemed vital for the EU’s resource and technological independence.

“For us, this is not just recognition — it’s a responsibility and a strategic mission. Ukraine has the potential to become a reliable supplier of critical minerals, especially graphite, which plays a key role in battery production, electronics, and defense technologies. Achieving this status opens new opportunities for international funding, technological partnerships, and the accelerated development of essential infrastructure,” — BGV commented. We are sincerely grateful to our team and partners who are working to build a full value-added chain for critical minerals in Ukraine — from geological exploration to processing and export. This recognition of our graphite project at the EU level is another step toward integrating Ukraine into Europe’s economic and technological architecture.