Assessment of Spherical Graphite for Lithium-Ion Batteries: Techniques, China's Status, Production Market, and Recommended Policies for Sustainable Development

With the increasing application of natural spherical graphite in lithium-ion battery negative electrode materials widely used, the sustainable production process for spherical graphite (SG) has become one of the critical factors to achieve the double carbon goals. The purification process of SG employs hydrofluoric acid process, acid–alkali process, high-temperature process, and chlorination roasting process in the latter process. Currently, the most widely used processes in China are the hydrofluoric acid process and the acid–alkali process, but the implementation of China's new environmental protection policy has claimed higher demands on SG production. Aimed at China's environmental policies and the production situation, this article introduces the purification principles and compares processing technology characteristics of the four processes, respectively. A model of the four SG purification processes under the same production capacity is simulated to analyze the main constraints of production including pollutant emissions, raw materials, and energy used. Based on the analysis of the sustainability of the four purification processes, it can be concluded that the high temperature roasting process is the best way to maintain sustainable projects under the condition of overcoming its high cost, according to China.