Major UK graphene manufacturer joins the NGI

22 Jun 2016

The National Graphene Institute (NGI) has signed a collaborative partnership with a leading UK graphene company to accelerate the commercialisation of applications

Haydale Graphene Industries, the group focused on enabling technology for the commercialisation of graphene and other nanomaterials based in South Wales, work closely with the NGI and have now agreed a formal partnership which aims to leverage each party’s particular expertise in order to seek opportunities to develop and commercialise graphene products and applications.

This will see the NGI utilising the Haydale patented process incorporated in its R&D plasma reactor for research into the functionalisation of graphene and other nanomaterials, led by Professor Ian Kinloch and Professor Robert Young. This will look into the use, process and identification of nanomaterials to enhance performance in composites, sensors, printable inks, super capacitators, rubbers and elastomers.

Initial opportunities include working together to create opportunities and funding in the aerospace and automotive markets and already the co-operation has see the development of components for a Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) demonstrator with plans for its flight due to take place later this year.

This is already creating interest from a number of aerospace companies and is a great example of academia and industry working together to create the supply-chain necessary for entry into such a market.

The NGI will also use material and prototype applications developed by Haydale, as well as other UK graphene producers and innovators.

Haydale are also the headline sponsors of ‘Wonder Materials: Graphene and Beyond’; a major exhibition opening at the Museum of Science and Industry (MSI) in Manchester on July 23rd, to coincide with the city hosting the EuroScience Open Forum (ESOF).

The NGI now has 50 collaborative partners, working alongside more than 230 graphene and 2D materials researchers at The University of Manchester.

University of Manchester Graphene Business Director James Baker said: “Haydale are one of a number of excellent UK graphene companies, producing quality materials and engineering them into real-life applications.

“This partnership is an example of how we are working closely with the supply chain including SMEs to ensure that graphene commercialisation stays in the UK and that the graphene community works closely together to find applications for this remarkable material.”

Haydale CEO Ray Gibbs added: “Haydale are delighted to be collaborating with the National Graphene Institute in Manchester which is known as the home of graphene. The NGI has a worldwide profile, which attracts significant industrial interest from across the globe. This collaboration is a further step in our aim at making the UK the centre of excellence for Graphene by retaining UK knowledge on graphene as we work towards commercialisation.”