8 Aug 2016 07:00
8th August 2016
Applied Graphene Materials plc
("Applied Graphene Materials", "AGM", "the Group" or "the Company")
Accelerated Product Development in Paints Industry and New JDA
Applied Graphene Materials, the producer of specialty graphene materials, is pleased to announce that it has achieved outstanding performance results from proof of concept studies into the use of its graphene in anti-corrosive coatings. The PRA, an independent testing consultancy, has evaluated the performance following ISO standard accelerated weathering and anti-corrosion tests. These test results have enabled the Company to significantly accelerate joint developments across the global paints and coatings industry.
Following considerable work over recent months, AGM has developed an improved graphene material that has been demonstrated to deliver a six-fold improvement in barrier and anti-corrosion properties at low loading levels.
AGM is also delighted to announce that, based on these results, the Company has signed a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) with James Briggs Ltd, a large European consumer chemicals business. James Briggs is a highly innovative formulator and supplier of aerosol paints and high performance materials to well-known industry brands across numerous markets.
AGM and James Briggs have already started an accelerated product development programme with a view to early market exploitation of graphene. Under the JDA, James Briggs will incorporate graphene material into its existing paint formulations to deliver higher-performing primers with improved corrosion protection. The expectation is that a new range of primers will be launched in early 2017. Alongside this, the two businesses will be cooperating on potential applications for lubrication products given the improved friction properties offered by the application of graphene.
Tim Pugh, CEO of James Briggs Ltd, commented: "We are keen to become the first specialty chemicals and coatings company to take advantage of this exciting new technology. The detailed understanding that AGM bring of how to get the most out of their material is impressive and we look forward to rapidly incorporating graphene into our own extensive range of everyday products."
Ends
For further information, please contact:
Applied Graphene Materials +44 (0) 1642 438 214
Jon Mabbitt, Chief Executive Officer
Oliver Lightowlers, Chief Financial Officer
N+1 Singer +44 (0) 207 496 3000
Richard Lindley / Nick Owen / James White
Hudson Sandler +44 (0) 207 796 4133
Charlie Jack / Emily Dillon
Notes to Editors
Applied Graphene Materials
Applied Graphene Materials was founded by Professor Karl Coleman in 2010 with its operations and processes based on technology that was developed at Durham University. The Group was admitted to AIM in November 2013, raising £11 million, and is based at the Wilton Site on Teesside. In January 2016 it raised a further £8.5m to support its ongoing activities.
The Group has subsequently developed proprietary bottom-up processes for the production of high purity graphene nanoplatelets and owns the intellectual property and know-how behind these processes. AGM's processes are based upon sustainable, readily available raw materials and therefore do not rely on the supply of graphite, unlike many of other graphene production techniques. It is capable of producing high purity graphene using a continuous process. AGM provides dispersion and product integration expertise to deliver solutions for a wide range of applications.
James Briggs
James Briggs is one of Europe's largest consumer chemicals businesses and employs around 300 staff over two manufacturing sites in Greater Manchester. The business, founded in 1830, designs, formulates and manufactures a wide range of products including paints, lubricants, cleaning fluids and polishes for automotive, industrial, hygiene and other sectors. James Briggs was backed by Endless LLP in an MBO in June 2013.