Versarien Share News (VRS)

(Sharecast News) - Versarien said on Thursday that its North American hub in Houston, Texas, is now fully operational and has allowed the company to accelerate relationships with a number of new partners.New deals entered into on the continent by the advanced materials engineering group include a partnership with a chemical packaging provider, with the two companies teaming up to explore whether Versarien's graphene could improve the packaging through weight reduction or by strengthening barriers.Meanwhile, three further collaboration agreements have been signed, including two which evaluate the potential for graphene to be used in the production of products used in the consumer goods market.Chief executive Neill Ricketts said: "We are very pleased to have our dedicated facility in Houston up and running. This has enabled us to more efficiently progress a number of new and existing relationships and accelerate our traction in the US. We now have relationships with over 25 companies in North America, encompassing sectors as diverse as automotive, aerospace, consumer goods, oil & gas, sports equipment and speciality plastics."As well as the completion of the US office and laboratory facility, the AIM-traded company will seek further North American exposure as it takes its place as a leading participant in the American Graphene Summit in Washington DC in May."We continue to receive a high number of enquires for the supply of our graphene and other 2D materials from leading US companies and others globally. Versarien is now truly operating on a global basis and I look forward to providing further updates on our activities with our multiple collaboration partners in due course," said Ricketts.Versarien's shares were up 0.89% at 113.00p at 1034 BST.