Grafine Ltd. exhibits at Plastivision 2020

Grafine Ltd., in partnership with the Nanofunctional Materials Group at the University of Manchester, is exhibiting its research and development capabilities and novel materials at Plastivision 2020, India’s largest plastics trade show.

Plastivision 2020, the 11th edition of the key Indian plastics show, is being held 16th to 20th of January, at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai. Grafine is exhibiting in Hall 3, Stall F1-6, as part of the British Pavilion, which is coordinated by the British Plastics Federation.

Grafine Ltd. has been awarded a Tradeshow Access Programme (TAP) Exhibitor Grant by the Department of International Trade in support of this exhibit.

Grafine, a University of Manchester spin-out company, offers a range of technical development services to manufacturing companies from around the world who wish to profit from the performance benefits that graphene can add to their products.

Dr. Aravind Vijayaraghavan, co-founder of Grafine, and University of Manchester academic, will be on hand, supported by Dr. Mohan Kumar Pitchan, a post-doctoral research associated in Dr. Vijayaraghavan’s research group.

Dr. Vijayaraghavan leads the Nanofunctional Materials Group, and is responsible for developing the graphene-enhanced rubber used by inov-8 Ltd., in their range of award-winning G-series and G-grip shoes.

Grafine is supported by UMI3 Ltd., the University’s tech transfer organisation, and Graphene Enabled Systems Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of the University.

Dr. Vijayaraghavan said: “Plastivision is widely recognised by the industry as one of the most influential plastics exhibitions in the world. It is therefore an excellent opportunity for Grafine and the University of Manchester to expand the scope of applications of graphene-enhanced elastomer materials through seeking and establishing development partnerships with a range of international industries”

“Grafine and the University of Manchester have embarked on an ambitious journey to impact a range of sectors such as automotive, aerospace, sports & leisure, medical and infrastructure through the application of graphene-enhanced elastomer materials”.

Plastivision 2020 will feature over 1200 exhibitors and will be attended by over 100,000 visitors from 40 countries.

Andrew Wilkinson, CEO of UMI3, said: “Grafine Ltd is at the forefront of 2D-materials enhanced elastomer development. The business is able to deliver new formulations to industry which can significantly enhance the performance of existing products and even create new applications. Grafine is currently partnering or negotiating commercial deals with customers across the globe operating in a wide range of industrial and consumer markets. I am delighted that, Manchester based, Grafine is now generating sales revenue and I am very confident that the team are going to make a major impact in the plastics and elastomer sectors.”

Grafine shortlisted for globally recognised award

Grafine Ltd, a University of Manchester spin-out company, has been shortlisted for a prestigious award.

The business offers a range of technical development services to manufacturing companies from around the world who wish to profit from the performance benefits that graphene can add to their products.

Staff from Grafine will pitch to judges during the Royal Society of Chemistry’s (RSC) Emerging

Technologies Competition final for its graphene-enhanced elastomer compounds for healthcare applications.

Following this, the winner of the RSC ‘Enabling Technologies’ category will be announced during the Industry Awards in London on October 28.

Grafine founders Dr. Aravind Vijayaraghavan and Dr. Maria Iliut (pictured) are both world experts in graphene and its use in making rubbers and elastomers stronger and more durable.

Dr Iliut said, “We are delighted to have been shortlisted for such a globally recognised award.

“It comes after a very busy period which saw us open a Research and Development (R&D) facility in the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC) in Manchester.

“We believe Grafine will have a huge impact on the use of 2-dimensional materials in the global rubber and elastomer markets and are excited to have the opportunity to pitch our graphene-enhanced elastomer compounds for healthcare applications to judges.”

The Emerging Technologies Competition – backed by multinational companies and one of the Top 10 Business Schools in the world; Cambridge Judge Business School – is the RSC’s annual initiative for early-stage companies and academic entrepreneurs who want to commercialise their technologies to make a global impact.

Previous winners have gone on to raise a combined total of over £32 million in equity investment and grant funding, with others expanding overseas and collectively doubling their number of employees.

Grafine, supported by the University’s tech transfer organisation UMI3 and wholly-owned subsidiary of the University Graphene Enabled Systems, is looking to exploit the potential of rubber and elastomer products, a global market forecasted to be more than £70 billion by 2021.

Andrew Wilkinson, CEO of UMI3, said, “It’s quite fitting that Grafine Ltd has been shortlisted by the RSC, as it is a business that is at the forefront of 2D-materials enhanced elastomer development.

“I know the team is looking forward to the next stage of this process and that Grafine is currently partnering or negotiating commercial deals with customers across the globe operating in a wide range of industrial and consumer markets.”

Grafine Ltd sets up R&D facility at Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre

Grafine Ltd has established a Research and Development (R&D) facility in the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC).

The business, founded by renowned experts in graphene and University of Manchester academics Dr Maria Iliut and Dr Aravind Vijayaraghavan, offers a range of technical development services to manufacturing companies from around the world who wish to profit from the performance benefits that graphene can add to their products.

Grafine founders, Dr. Maria Iliut and Dr. Aravind Vijayaraghavan, in front of the GEIC.

Grafine Ltd is looking to exploit the potential of rubber and elastomer products, a global market forecasted to be more than £70 billion by 2021.

Elastomers and rubbers are used world over in products such as tyres, shoes, gloves, industrial components, construction materials, coatings and medical devices.

In addition to the development projects that it has commenced in the GEIC, Grafine Ltd is in advanced negotiations with various global manufacturers of elastomer and rubber products, as well as actively seeking investment to expand its team and facilities.

Grafine was founded with the support of Graphene Enabled Systems Ltd and UMI3 Ltd, the University’s tech transfer organisation. UMI3 recently became the latest Tier One partner of the multi-million-pound centre which is based in the Masdar Building on the University’s North Campus. Grafine will undertake its R&D activities in UMI3’s Tier One lab as well as the state-of-the-art shared facilities available within the GEIC.

Dr. Maria Iliut (Founder and CTO), with UMIP CEO Andrew Wilkinson in front of the new R&D lab in the GEIC

Dr. Iliut, the academic co-founder and Chief Technical Officer of Grafine, said: “Establishing a R&D facility in GEIC is a landmark moment for Grafine Ltd as we continue on our journey.

“The GEIC is a perfect R&D base for us. It combines latest knowledgebase in graphene and related materials arising from the University, with the scale-up and characterisation facilities to bridge the gap between research and production, which is the space in which Grafine operates.”

Grafine’s R&D base in the GEIC will also enable it to partner and collaborate with the wide range of other GEIC partner companies, who can take advantage of Grafine’s expertise and infrastructure in composite materials development and testing.

Andrew Wilkinson, CEO of UMI3, said: “Grafine Ltd is a very exciting University spin-out company that is now generating sales revenue and actively building its customer base. With this R&D facility, we believe that the business will have a huge impact on the use of 2-dimensional materials in the global rubber and elastomer markets.”