Analysts’ comments on China’s export permits for some graphite products

China will require export permits for some graphite products to protect national security, its commerce ministry said on Friday, in its latest move to control supplies of critical minerals in response to challenges over its manufacturing dominance. "I think what it (Japanese industry) probably will do, since the graphite is still there, is any research that you've got going on that can look for alternatives… probably becomes a lot higher priority and generally the solution is as to A) look for alternative sources and B) look for alternative materials."