AGM signs distribution agreement with Maroon Group

Applied Graphene Materials plc

("Applied Graphene Materials", "AGM", "the Group" or "the Company")

Applied Graphene Materials signs distribution agreement with Maroon Group LLC, USA.

Agreement significantly strengthens AGM's route into the coatings and polymers markets across the United States and Canada.

Applied Graphene Materials (LSE: AGM), is delighted to announce it has signed a distribution agreement with Maroon Group LLC (Headquarters Avon, Ohio, USA). The agreement adds significantly to AGM's growing commercial distribution network and provides a direct route into the coatings and polymers sectors across the United States and Canada.

Maroon Group is a world class distributor of specialty chemicals and ingredients across North America. Founded in 1977 and based in Avon, Ohio, Maroon Group is comprised of several regional operating companies focused on specific markets and geographies. Each operating company leverages a common infrastructure of industry leading technology, value-add services, formulary support, global sourcing & logistics network, and a commitment to Creating Customer Success®. This operating philosophy has enabled Maroon Group to offer its customers and principal suppliers national capabilities while maintaining a local focus.

AGM and Maroon Group have an exclusive agreement that will see the two companies collaborating on customer opportunities and introduce AGM's proprietary Genable® graphene dispersions technology into the United States and Canadian coatings and polymers markets.

In addition to its own commercial hubs in the U.K. and the United States, AGM now has distribution agreements with local expert chemicals and coatings distributors in the United States, Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Greece, Italy, South Africa and Japan.

Adrian Potts, AGM CEO commented: 

"I am delighted to announce Maroon Group as a very strong partner to help AGM drive commercial uptake of our graphene products in the North American market. Maroon Group has leading expertise in additive sales and customer service, which is essential to support sales at this early stage of the graphene market's development. With decades of experience in the region, their impressive network and consumer relationships will open up significant potential for AGM.

This is the second distribution agreement we have announced in as many weeks and will more than triple the size of the number of sales team members amongst our distribution partners that can help drive sales of AGM's products since June. We are very excited to be building considerable momentum in the expansion of our global sales network."

Thomas Papasso, Vice President Principal Management for Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants and Elastomers, Maroon Group commented:

"The team at Maroon Group is very excited to partner with Applied Graphene Materials. Their unique line of graphene dispersions is a perfect example of how Maroon Group strives to bring real innovation and value to our customers."

For further information, please contact:

Applied Graphene Materials +44 (0) 1642 438 214

Adrian Potts, Chief Executive Officer

David Blain, Chief Financial Officer

Hudson Sandler +44 (0) 207 796 4133

Charlie Jack / Emily Dillon

N+1 Singer +44 (0) 207 496 3000

Peter Steel / Justin McKeegan

Notes to Editors

Maroon Group LLC is a world class distributor of specialty chemicals and ingredients across North America. Founded in 1977 and based in Avon, Ohio, Maroon Group is comprised of several regional operating companies focused on specific markets and geographies. Each operating company leverages a common infrastructure of industry leading technology, value-add services, formulary support, global sourcing & logistics network, and a commitment to Creating Customer Success®. This operating philosophy has enabled Maroon Group to offer its customers, principal suppliers, and employees with national capabilities while maintaining a local focus. Over four decades, Maroon Group has grown from a small family-owned business to one of the fastest growing specialty chemical suppliers in North America. With an unwavering focus on service as a key element of its business model, backed by a top notch and dedicated sales team, Maroon Group is an industry leader with a commitment to quality, safety and compliance. https://www.maroongroupllc.com/

Applied Graphene Materials works in partnership with its customers using its knowledge and expertise to provide bespoke graphene dispersions and formats to deliver enhancements and benefits for a wide range of applications. The Group's strategy is to target commercial applications in three core markets: coatings, composites and functional materials.

The Group has developed proprietary bottom-up processes which are capable of producing high purity graphene nanoplatelets using a continuous process. The manufacturing process is based on sustainable, readily available raw materials and therefore does not rely on the supply of graphite, unlike a number of other graphene production techniques. Applied Graphene Materials owns the intellectual property and know-how behind this process.

Applied Graphene Materials was founded by Professor Karl Coleman in 2010 with its operations and processes based on technology that he initially developed at Durham University. The Group was admitted to AIM in November 2013, raising £11 million, and is based at the Wilton Site on Teesside. In January 2016 the Group raised £8.5m to support its ongoing activities and in October 2017 the Group raised a further £9.8m. https://www.appliedgraphenematerials.com/