AGM signs distribution agreement in South Korea

Applied Graphene Materials signs distribution agreement with Manho Polymers Co. Ltd., South Korea.

Agreement provides AGM with a new route into the coatings and polymers markets in South Korea.

Applied Graphene Materials (AGM), the producer of specialty graphene additives, is pleased to announce that it has signed a distribution agreement with Manho Polymers Co. Ltd. The agreement further extends AGM's commercial focus directly into the coatings and polymers sectors across South Korea.

Manho Polymers is a leading chemicals distributor in South Korea with a history of delivering innovative products to the coatings and polymers market. The agreement enables AGM to access the fourth largest coatings market in the Asia region, estimated in 2018 to be producing in excess of 900 million litres of paint annually, with a market value of over USD4.6billion per year.

AGM and Manho Polymers have an exclusive agreement that will see the two companies collaborate on customer opportunities and introduce AGM's proprietary Genable® graphene dispersions technology into the South Korean coatings and broader liquid resins markets.

Adrian Potts, CEO of AGM, commented: 

"The agreement with ManHo Polymers in South Korea represents further major progress in the development of our global network of specialist distributors to our key customer market sectors. AGM's strategy is to partner with outstanding, skilled, distribution companies with the right technical understanding and capability to effectively support customer engagement around our innovative graphene nanoplatelet technology. We look forward to working closely with ManHo Polymers to ensure their success in the significant South Korean market as they create opportunities for our products in the high-performance coatings and polymers spaces."

Min-Haeng Lee, CEO of Manho Polymer, commented:

"We are very glad to start cooperation with AGM. AGM is one of the leading innovators in graphene materials, with high potential and vision to change the future.

We are excited to introduce AGM's graphene solution into South Korea, which is one the of biggest coating markets in Asia. Furthermore, we will do our best to contribute to AGM's business by expanding its applications to new industries, such as batteries, semi-conductors, and electronics, which have a strong presence in our country. We look forward to developing our cooperation and to joint successes in South Korea."

For further information please contact:

Applied Graphene Materials

+44 (0) 1642 438 214

Adrian Potts, Chief Executive Officer 

David Blain, Chief Financial Officer

N+1 Singer

+44 (0) 207 496 3000

Peter Steel / Amanda Gray

Hudson Sandler

 +44 (0) 207 796 4133

Charlie Jack / Emily Dillon

Notes to Editors:

Applied Graphene Materials - For the last decade, AGM has been at the forefront of harnessing the possibilities of graphene. Founded originally by Professor Karl Coleman, the Group has grown from an academic idea from Durham University to a world leader in the development and application of graphene nanoplatelet dispersions for customers in the coatings, composites and functional materials sectors.

The Group utilises its proprietary bottom-up manufacturing process to produce high purity graphene nanoplatelets. Their expertise in dispersion chemistry enables AGM to create optimised, stable and easy to handle dispersions that customers use in real-world industrial products. AGM's unique approach enables industries to fully realise the potential of graphene in a simple, safe and easy to formulate way.

AGM, based at the Wilton Centre on Teesside, was admitted to AIM in November 2013, raising £11 million. The Group successfully raised £8.5m in January 2016 and a further £9.8m in November 2017. Since August 2020, the Group's shares are also listed on OTCQX in the United States. As a result of the funding support and their industry leading technology platform, AGM have been able to develop a significant sales distribution network covering Europe, North America and a partner in Japan and South Korea. The Group continues to work closely with industrial partners, and have seen the successful launch of numerous commercial products enhanced by their Graphene Dispersions.

https://www.appliedgraphenematerials.com/

About Manho Polymer

Established in 2004, Manho Polymer has grown as one of the leading chemical distributors in Korea for rubber, fluoropolymer, flame retardants, fillers, and additives, which are related with various industries, including semi-conductor, display, automotive, telecommunication, battery, and coating. The company has advantages of having sound capital structure, many customers in broad business portfolio, and highly trained passionate people.