Last checked at 19 Jul 2023 07:00
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19 July 2023
Directa Plus plc
("Directa Plus", the "Group" or the "Company")
Directa Plus awarded tender by Lombardy Region as part of its 'Ricerca & Innova' programme
Directa Plus (AIM: DCTA), a leading producer and supplier of graphene nanoplatelets based products for use in consumer and industrial markets, has been awarded a project tender from the Italian Region of Lombardy as part of its 'Ricerca & Innova' programme to further develop Graphene Plus (G+) air filtration applications.
The project is for an 18-month period and has a total value of c.€400,000 which includes a non-repayable grant of €142,500 and a zero interest loan €264,642 which will be repaid over seven years. This award will enable Directa Plus to continue investing and developing its air filter applications, leveraging the antiviral and antimicrobial properties of its G+ technologies.
It is proven that the G+ filter has a bacterial load reduction higher than 99.98% and, when tested in conditions of simulated use, it is three times more efficient than the average alternative products on the market. Moreover, Graphene Plus is free from any hazard identification, being the G+ technology which is non-toxic and safe for both humans and the environment.
Directa Plus has been working on the development of G+ air filters since 2020 following the rapid and successful commercialisation of a high performing graphene-based mask, the Co-Mask, to contribute to the fight against Covid-19. This quickly led to exploring industrial filtration applications in the automotive industry and Directa Plus will now use the funding to target Industrial Heating, Ventilation and Cooling (HVAC) applications.
Based on recent research by Fortune Business Insights, the global air filters market size was valued at $14.68 billion in 2022 and it is projected to grow to $25.69 billion by 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 7.3% over those years.
The Ricerca & Innova programme aims to support investments in industrial research, experimental development and process innovation by companies based in Lombardy. Directa Plus was selected as part of the programme, among many other participants, due to the innovative capabilities of the Group's G+ technologies and timing of the submission.
Commenting, Giulio Cesareo, Founder and CEO of Directa Plus, said: "We are excited to have been awarded this project tender by the Lombardy local government which recognises our commitment to innovation and developing advanced technologies. It will enable Directa Plus to further invest in and develop an innovative product enhanced by the unique properties of Graphene Plus at a faster rate than previously possible and strengthen our position in fast growing markets. We are grateful for the support of Lombardy Region to accelerate the production of G+ air filtration applications."
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 | directaplus@almapr.co.uk |
Hannah Campbell | |
Kinvara Verdon |
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.