Competitive advantages...every country and company wants them! Not to be outdone by the US, this battery research centre in Germany is getting ready to play "catch up".

http://www6.lexisnexis.com/publisher/EndUser?Action=UserDisplayFullDocument&orgId=102513&topicId=165230010&docId=l:2213024822&Em=7&start=21

I wouldn't bet against American determination...and i probably wouldn't bet against the Germans manufacturering ability. Japan has the whole technology/innovation/patent thing in electronics/battery going on...so not betting against them either.

If you believe there is a market for high-purity natural graphite; get ready for World War Z! :)