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Applied Graphene set to create jobs on Teesside with expansion

Wilton-based Applied Graphene Materials says it is expanding its operations in the North East following a successful flotation on the stock market which raised £11 million.

The manufacturers of graphene - a super-strong, superconductive and flexible material are planning to expand laboratory operations and begin recruitment.

Graphene is a one-molecule-thick layer of graphite that is 100 times stronger than steel but six times lighter and conducts electricity 20 times better than copper.

It is extremely thin and lightweight but also strong and transparent and is already being developed for use in a variety of ways from electronics and new types of solar panels to body armour, non-stick pan coatings and to create flexible touchscreen displays for mobile devices.

Applied Graphene Materials has developed a proprietary, scalable process to produce graphene cost-efficiently in powder form.

The Group aims to increase the capacity of its Wilton Centre plant to capitalise on forecasts for demand for graphene to increase tenfold from 40 tonnes to 400 tonnes by 2017.

It is predicted that the market for graphene products will hit $195m by 2018 and will grow to $1.3bn by 2023. Applied Graphene Materials is already working with companies including Dyson and Procter & Gamble to develop commercial uses for the material.

Jon Mabbitt, CEO of Applied Graphene Materials, commented: “Many industries have recognised the significant qualities graphene possesses. We have seen considerable interest from blue-chip businesses which have recognised the advantages of our production process, enabling us to continuously produce graphene cost efficiently on a commercial scale.

“Applied Graphene Materials is now well positioned to meet the growing global appetite for graphene as a wonder material of the 21st century.”

The science and business park’s site director Steve Duffield said that Applied Graphene Materials’ successful commercialisation of a concept that may revolutionise the way many products are made in the future is a very impressive example of innovation to emerge from the Centre.

He added: “We are very proud to have been able to support the Group as it has expanded from its beginnings with a few employees, to becoming a business that requires multiple laboratories and office space.

“Throughout we have worked hard to provide Applied Graphene with flexible, adaptable space and take away the day to day management of their accommodation to allow the Group to focus on the business of innovation and graphene production and moving its business forward.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .