On September 8, ExxonMobil Corp., headquartered in Houston, announced it has signed an agreement to acquire the technology and U.S.-based assets of Superior Graphite, along with select international offices. Superior Graphite, with more than 100 years of experience in graphite and advanced materials production, is a recognized player in the global graphite sector.

The acquisition represents a significant step in ExxonMobil’s strategy to establish a strong synthetic graphite supply chain. Synthetic graphite differs from naturally mined graphite in several ways. It is less labor-intensive to produce, offers greater consistency in quality, and can be manufactured using carbon-rich feedstocks derived from ExxonMobil’s existing refining streams. The company explained that this advantage allows for scaling production more efficiently while delivering graphite that exceeds current market standards.

Synthetic graphite plays an important role in the energy transition. It is a key material in electric vehicles and stationary energy storage systems. Its primary application is in the anode of lithium-ion batteries, where it significantly impacts overall battery performance. With expectations that demand for high-performance batteries will continue to grow, the requirement for advanced graphite materials is also anticipated to rise in parallel.

By acquiring Superior Graphite’s assets and technology, ExxonMobil gains access to industry expertise, intellectual property, and an established process that provides multiple benefits. These advantages include reduced energy intensity, more efficient land use, and higher production throughput. The company believes these features will contribute to a more sustainable and scalable approach to graphite production.

This acquisition aligns with ExxonMobil’s broader efforts to expand its materials and low-carbon solutions portfolio. The company is positioning itself to meet growing global demand for energy storage solutions, while supporting advancements in battery technology. The integration of Superior Graphite’s capabilities with ExxonMobil’s resources is expected to strengthen the competitiveness of synthetic graphite in the market.

The deal underscores ExxonMobil’s commitment to diversifying its portfolio and leveraging existing assets to support new technologies. With Superior Graphite’s century-long expertise combined with ExxonMobil’s refining strengths, the collaboration is expected to accelerate the development of a reliable synthetic graphite supply chain.

ExxonMobil emphasized that the acquisition not only supports immediate business goals but also contributes to long-term growth in materials critical to electrification and energy storage. This move places the company in a stronger position to serve industries requiring advanced battery performance, while advancing the availability of synthetic graphite on a larger scale.