Specialist flake graphite company Tirupati has successfully achieved commercial production of 97% pure flake graphite from its Vatomina project, in Madagascar.

The company says its first container of 97% jumbo flakes has been produced for a German manufacturer of speciality graphite products.

"Achieving commercial production at a grade of 97% is another significant milestone in Tirupati's continued progress as we establish ourselves as a leading supplier of flake graphite outside of China.

"Our increasing output is timely with a demand-supply gap forecast over the next year and we are well positioned to play our role in the evolving flake graphite opportunities," comments chairperson Shishir Poddar.

Tirupati is working to increase its production and sales of high-grade graphite and is expecting a 10% increase in the basket price of Madagascan graphite to between $910/t and $935/t in the financial year to end March 31, 2024.

Meanwhile, the company says the recent cyclone in Madagascar had no significant impact on its Vatomina and Sahamamy operations.

The ramp-up of production at Sahamamy continued in line with expectations since the commencement of operations in February. Production for March is expected to be in line with guidance of 800 t to 1 000 t.

"We have moved on from the difficult times of building a new mine in a challenging ecosystem. Getting into 'four figures' worth of monthly production output for the first time in March, depicts our progress as much as getting an 18 000 t/y plant rolling in the very first month since start off.

"We will continue to achieve new milestones in our efforts for building a leadership position in areas of our expertise and in the best interest of the company and its shareholders," Poddar adds.

Tirupati expects to produce between 6 100 t and 6 500 t of graphite in the quarter to June 30.