A research consortium at the National Institute of Fundamental Studies (NIFS) in Hantana, Kandy, announced a breakthrough chemical refinement method that converts Sri Lanka's indigenous vein graphite into ultra-high purity graphene materials optimized for next-generation lithium-ion batteries.

Sri Lanka holds the world's highest natural purity vein graphite deposits, but historical exports have predominantly shipped unprocessed raw lumps. The NIFS research team, working in partnership with national university material scientists, introduced an energy-efficient thermo-mechanical exfoliation process that purifies vein graphite to 99.98% purity without toxic acid leaching. Early laboratory testing demonstrates that anode sheets manufactured with these refined nanomaterials deliver enhanced fast-charging capacity and longer lifecycle stability, creating a high-value industrial manufacturing pipeline for Sri Lanka's mineral exports.