Last checked at 21 Dec 2022 07:00
21 December 2022
Directa Plus plc
("Directa Plus", the "Group" or the "Company")
Significant contract with Pigmentsolution to support expansion of Grafyshield G+ product
Directa Plus (AIM: DCTA), a leading producer and supplier of graphene nanoplatelets based products for use in consumer and industrial markets, has signed a new exclusive agreement with Pigmentsolution, a European distributor of speciality chemicals and ingredients, to support the development and distribution of Directa Plus's new patented Graphene Plus (G+) product, Grafyshield G+, initially in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Poland, with the potential for further expansion in Europe.
Directa Plus has invented and patented a granular semi-finished product, Grafyshield G+, which enhances anti-corrosion and flame-retardant properties to a final paint system for both water-based and solvent-based formulations. The product is currently under testing by different major European paint producers, with the first order of 200 kg Grafyshield G+ now received from Pigmentsolution.
The global anticorrosion coating market is estimated to be valued at 10.1 USD billion, and the global flame-retardant coating market is estimated to be 4.83 USD billion.
Pigmentsolution has more than 25 years' experience in the development of system plants, the marketing of specialty chemicals, and sustainable fertiliser production in Europe and will support the expansion of Grafyshield G+ by providing Directa Plus with access to its extensive local networks, market intelligence and technical expertise.
The initial 12-month contract launches in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Poland in January 2023, enabling Directa Plus to assess these important markets to build a solid basis for 2024, and enable the Group to measure the potential for further territorial expansion of the contract across Europe in the longer-term.
Commenting, Giulio Cesareo, Founder and CEO of Directa Plus, said: "This contract is a significant win for the Group, demonstrating the appetite for and competitive advantage of our product. Grafyshield G+ is a universal preparation, suitable for both water-based and solvent-based formulations. It is designed to be easy to handle and easy to mix with the resin, thereby utilising a traditional mixing equipment. Grafyshield G+ could also potentially be used to enhance thermal and electrical conductivity of the paint, as well as anti-friction and anti-fouling performances.
"Working with Pigmentsolution will accelerate time to market enabling us to bring Grafyshield G+, a potentially disruptive product, to the EU market at a faster rate and into new geographies in the future."
For further information please visit http://www.directa-plus.com/ or contact:
Directa Plus plc | +39 02 36714458 |
Giulio Cesareo, CEO | |
Giorgio Bonfanti, CFO | |
Cenkos Securities plc (Nominated Adviser and Joint Broker) | +44 131 220 6939 |
Neil McDonald | |
Adam Rae | |
Singer Capital Markets Securities Limited (Joint Broker) | +44 20 7496 3069 |
Rick Thompson | |
Phil Davies | |
Alma PR (Financial PR Adviser) | +44 20 3405 0205 |
Justine James | |
Hannah Campbell |
Notes to Editors
Directa Plus (www.directa-plus.com) is one of the largest producers and suppliers of graphene-based products for use in consumer and industrial markets. The Company's graphene manufacturing capability uses proprietary patented technology based on a plasma super expansion process. Starting from natural graphite, each step of Directa Plus' production process - expansion, exfoliation and drying - creates graphene-based materials and hybrid graphene materials ready for a variety of uses and available in various forms such as powder, liquid and paste.
This proprietary production process uses a physical process, rather than a chemical process, to process graphite into pristine graphene nanoplatelets, which enables Directa Plus to offer a sustainable, non-toxic product, without unwanted by-products.
Directa Plus' products are made of hybrid graphene materials and graphene nano-platelets. The products (marketed as G+(R)) have multiple applications due to its properties. These G+(R) products can be categorised into various families, with different products being suitable for specific practical applications.
Directa Plus was established in 2005 and is based in Lomazzo (Como, Italy) and has been listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange since May 2016. Directa Plus holds the Green Economy Mark from London Stock Exchange which recognises companies that contribute to the global green economy.