AGM launches eco-friendly graphene dispersions

Non Regulatory Reach Announcement

29 July 2021

AGM launches range of eco-friendly graphene dispersions

Range empowers paints, coatings and composites manufacturers to improve the sustainability of their products without compromising on performance

Applied Graphene Materials (LSE:AGM), the producer of specialty graphene nanoplatelet dispersions, has launched a ground-breaking new range of eco-friendly graphene nanoplatelet dispersions that will enable paints, coatings and composite materials customers to improve the sustainability of their product formulations in response to growing market pressures.

Materials suppliers are being driven to invest in biobased innovation as customers and their end consumers become increasingly aware of the safety and environmental impact of the raw materials they use. Growing pressure to comply with stringent health and safety legislation and demonstrate a reduced environmental impact is forcing manufacturers to progressively introduce bioderived alternatives to traditional chemicals. All ten of the top ten coatings companies by global sales now offer eco-friendly products with low-VOC emissions, and the reduction or replacement of traditional solvents is now a high priority.

AGM's Genable® 1700 series of eco-friendly graphene nanoplatelet dispersions, are based on the Company's well-established Genable® graphene dispersion technology, which is already proven to deliver significant performance uplifts such as chemical resistance, barrier and anticorrosion properties. Genable® graphene dispersions are integrated with a selection of certified, fully biobased solvents and resins available in the market, including Cyrene™ (dihydrolevoglucosenone), an award-winning biorenewable solvent, and industry-leading renewable resins Entropy Resin One and Entropy Resin CCR, a solvent-free liquid epoxy resin and a solvent-free hydroxy functional polyester.

The Genable® 1700 series product range is now available for sampling evaluation by customers for use in a wide range of liquid coatings and composite materials formulating applications.

AGM's focus on continued innovation and the development of sustainable products will ensure the Company not only continues to meet the qualifying criteria and purchasing requirements of current and future customers, but will also remain essential to their sustainable supply chains in the future.

The launch of this new sustainable range for customers reflects AGM's own sustainability commitment to continuous improvement to align with the principles of the UN Sustainability Development Goals; a framework which is integral to the environmental work of the global sectors in which it operates.

Adrian Potts, Chief Executive Officer of AGM, said:

"I am proud that AGM is taking a leading role in delivering graphene in sustainable formats that will help our customers reduce the environmental impact of their products. Today, we are able to help paints, coatings and composite materials formulators achieve their sustainability goals through the supply of a new eco-friendly range of graphene dispersions. Based on AGM's already proven graphene nanoplatelet technology, these new biobased graphene products offer the industry a more responsible means of benefitting from the significant performance uplifts arising from the use of graphene nanoplatelets, such as chemical resistance, barrier and anticorrosion properties.

AGM is committed to being part of a sustainable supply chain. We believe that through our constant product innovation we can empower our customers to not only set new product performance standards, but new sustainability standards for their industries."

END

For further information, please contact:

Applied Graphene Materials +44 (0) 1642 438 214

Adrian Potts, Chief Executive Officer

David Blain, Chief Financial Officer

Singer Capital Markets +44 (0) 207 496 3000

Peter Steel / Amanda Gray

Allenby Capital Limited +44 (0) 203 328 5656

Nick Athanas / Liz Kirchner (Corporate Finance)

Matt Butlin / Kelly Gardiner (Sales and Corporate Broking)

Hudson Sandler +44 (0) 207 796 4133

Nick Lyon / 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. Its 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 OTCQB in the United States and, in January 2021, the Group successfully raised a further £6m gross. As a result of the funding support and its industry leading technology platform, AGM has been able to develop a significant sales distribution network covering Europe, North America and Asia. The Group continues to work closely with industrial partners, and has seen the successful launch of numerous commercial products enhanced by its Graphene Dispersions.

https://www.appliedgraphenematerials.com/