Last checked at 4 Aug 2022 07:00
4th August 2022
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED WITHIN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS DEEMED BY THE COMPANY TO CONSTITUTE INSIDE INFORMATION AS STIPULATED UNDER THE UK VERSION OF THE MARKET ABUSE REGULATION (596/2014) WHICH IS PART OF ENGLISH LAW BY VIRTUE OF THE EUROPEAN (WITHDRAWAL) ACT 2018, AS AMENDED. UPON THE PUBLICATION OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT VIA A REGULATORY INFORMATION SERVICE, THIS INFORMATION IS CONSIDERED TO BE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN.
Directa Plus plc
("Directa Plus" or the "Company")
Directa Plus extends partnership with Alfredo Grassi S.p.A.
G+® golf ball US patent award
Directa Plus (AIM: DCTA), a leading producer and supplier of graphene nanoplatelets based products for use in consumer and industrial markets, is pleased to announce that the Company has signed an extension to its commercial supply agreement (the "Supply Agreement") with Alfredo Grassi S.p.A. ("Grassi") to broaden its existing collaboration to include Graphene Plus Thermal Planar Circuit® (PTC®) for the workwear market in Italy and France.
Grassi is a leading Italian workwear and outerwear manufacturer, which has been operating since 1925. Grassi focuses on producing technical clothing for industry and in sports and fashion retail, with a strong focus on innovation and sustainability. Directa Plus has been working in partnership with Grassi for over five years.
The Supply Agreement grants Grassi use of Directa Plus' proprietary PTC® Graphene Plus print textile technology for the workwear market in France and Italy for a period of two years.
Both Directa Plus and Grassi see significant advantages to the Supply Agreement, with Directa Plus gaining a recurring revenue stream on its Graphene Plus PTC® technology, with Grassi benefitting from the use of sustainable Graphene Plus textile technology for the workwear industry, which has no biological / environmental impact, in key markets. The agreement will also enable the Company to further develop its understanding of market trends and drivers affecting demand for such products.
The Supply Agreement is expected to be a significant boost to the Company's estimated workwear income in 2022, which is already forecast to be up 100% year on year, with €450,000 orders planned for the second half of 2022.
Giulio Cesareo, Chief Executive of Directa Plus, commented: "Grassi has been an important partner of ours for a number of years, and it is clear that both sides see the benefits of continuing to build on our close commercial relationship with each other.
"The workwear sector continues to be of strategic importance to Directa, and the Supply Agreement with Grassi is another important step forward in building market share and increasing revenues from this segment."
Roberto Grassi, President of Alfredo Grassi, commented: "This strategic partnership with Directa Plus enables Alfredo Grassi to offer innovative solutions in the workwear industry, providing superior performance, comfort, and better wearability in all our garments. I strongly believe that the involvement of all the stakeholders in the production chain from suppliers to consumers is crucial for the development of innovative and sustainable products. We are very pleased to extend our partnership with Directa Plus and we believe the collaboration will further strengthen the growth of both companies, while keeping a focus on environmental and social sustainability."
US Patent award
Additionally, the Company has received the grant of the US patent titled "Golf ball comprising graphene". The patent will enable Directa Plus to license its technology in the critical US market.
The patent priority date is the 23rd December 2016, and covers a variety of formulations containing G+® graphene nanoplatelets for application within the golf ball.
The use of G+® compounds in golf balls at different loadings has the promise of developing a whole new range of golf balls for professionals and amateurs. Different G+® graphene compounds within the golf ball will enable professionals to increase distance without losing lateral control or increase overall control of the golf ball for amateurs.
The global golf ball market was valued at $1.11 billion in 2017, with a forecast CAGR of 2.7% from 2018 onwards.
The Company is now looking for partners to bring this leading technology to market.
For further information please visit http://www.directa-plus.com/ or contact:
Directa Plus plc | +39 02 36714458 |
Giulio Cesareo, CEO |
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Giorgio Bonfanti, CFO |
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Cenkos Securities plc (Nominated Adviser and Joint Broker) | +44 131 220 6939 |
Neil McDonald | |
Adam Rae | |
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Singer Capital Markets Securities Limited (Joint Broker) | +44 20 7496 3069 |
Rick Thompson | |
Phil Davies | |
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Tavistock (Financial PR and IR) | +44 20 7920 3150 |
Simon Hudson |
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Heather Armstrong |
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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.
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