Volt Carbon Technologies Inc. has developed a flexible downstream processing line at its Guelph, Ontario facility capable of producing multiple batches of graphene oxide and expandable graphite from a single configuration of equipment.

The setup operates downstream from Volt Carbon’s patented dry air classification technology, which preserves graphite crystallinity at the source. Once dry-separated into a graphite concentrate, the feed is converted into either graphene oxide or expandable graphite using shared processing equipment, eliminating the need for separate manufacturing lines.

The company consolidated all processing and equipment fabrication to the Guelph facility in July 2025. Additional batch-scale production equipment ordered earlier this year has now arrived at the site and is being integrated into the downstream processing circuit. Volt Carbon intends to use the equipment to continue producing batches for process optimization, characterization, and customer evaluation.

Recent X-ray diffraction characterization performed at University of Waterloo laboratories indicates that the company’s optimized graphene manufacturing process has reduced material thickness from approximately five layers down to three graphene layers. Graphene oxide is a functionalized material that can be processed further into reduced graphene oxide for use as an additive in advanced composites.

Independent testing of graphite processed through Volt Carbon's dry separation system previously achieved an expansion rate of 325 mL/g and roughly 98.5% carbon after expansion, indicating suitability for expandable graphite applications such as passive fire protection and thermal management.

“The concept is simple: start with natural graphite and create multiple higher-value products. One flexible processing platform can produce either graphene oxide or expandable graphite, and we have now produced multiple batches of both. We have also advanced our graphene from approximately five layers to approximately three layers based on recent XRD characterization at University of Waterloo laboratories. We are continuing to push toward the limits of what can be achieved with natural graphite while developing practical processes that can be scaled and used by customers. There is still a lot of work ahead, but our capabilities continue to improve every day.”

— V-Bond Lee, CEO

The company aims to build a secure North American supply chain for advanced carbon materials, targeting domestic markets that have historically depended on foreign supply.

Read the full announcement: Volt Carbon Advances Graphite-to-Graphene and Expandable Graphite Manufacturing Platform