Two Australian listed firms are pushing US trade regulators to investigate claims that China has flooded the US market with cheap battery-grade graphite, a move that threatens their ambitions to run profitable graphite refineries on American soil.

Novonix and Syrah Resources have joined the American Active Anode Material Producers in filing a complaint with the US Department of Commerce and the International Trade Commission. The group is urging regulators to impose a 920 per cent tariff on Chinese graphite imports to level the field.