Minerals and materials used in critical applications have more stringent physical and chemical requirements than standard bulk commodities. Graphite is on the critical minerals list of Australia, as well as geopolitically-aligned countries such as the UK, the USA, India, Japan, Korea and the EU due to its ubiquitous use as the anode in lithium-ion batteries. The value chain from graphite ore to battery anode is complex, with anode materials requiring high purities (>99.95 per cent), specific morphologies, and narrow particle size distributions. CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, has advanced scientific capabilities spanning the breadth of that chain; from ore characterisation to spheronisation, purification, and electrochemical cell testing. These links in the value chain contribute toward the supply of an electrifying critical mineral.