Grafine Ltd. exhibits at Chinaplas 2019

Grafine Ltd., supported by Graphene Enabled Systems Ltd., is exhibiting its research and development capabilities at Chinaplas 2019, the world’s leading plastics and rubber trade fair.

Graphene stand at Chinaplas 2019

Chinaplas 2019, the 33rd International Exhibition on Plastics and Rubber Industries, is being held this week, from 21st to 24th of May, at the China Import & Export Fair Complex, Pazhou, Guangzhou, PR China. Grafine is exhibit in stand 9.2D55, as part of the British Pavilion.

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 academic, will be on hand, supported by Dr. Shanshan Huo, Senior Project Engineer at Graphene Enabled Systems Ltd.

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: “Chinaplas is widely recognised by the industry as one of the most influential plastics and rubber 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”.

Chinaplas 2019 will feature over 3,500 exhibitors from 40 countries, and is expected to attract over 180,000 visitors over 4 days.

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 rubber and elastomer sector.”

Job posting: Technology Transfer Engineer

Grafine is looking to immediately recruit a Technology Transfer Engineer (TTE) to support the organisation’s technology and commercialisation ambitions.

The TTE will undertake technical R&D and business engagement activities in the UK and overseas. The role will report to the Chief Technology Officer. Responsibilities of the role include:

· Engagement with industries that develop or utilise elastomer materials and technology to identify needs and challenges which can be addressed by Grafine technologies.

· Undertake formulation and characterisation of graphene and other nano-materials and polymers containing them.

· Support the development of the technical and operational components of new product and product demonstrators.

· Understand client’s industrial processes in order to successfully transfer new materials into their production facilities.

· Support the development of new intellectual property and know-how.

· Establishment and maintenance of supply chain.

· Liaising with and building strong collaborative relationships within the Grafine partners including The University of Manchester (National Graphene Institute, Graphene Engineering and Innovation Centre, academic departments and other research centres) and with industrial/commercial partners.

Knowledge and passion for how graphene and other 2D/nano materials can be used within relevant commercial applications is essential in this role.

To apply, please send a CV and a short covering letter along with the names and addresses of two referees, through this link

https://www.totaljobs.com/job/technology-engineer/grafine-ltd-job83563668

All applications must be submitted before Friday 9th November 2018 and will be treated as strictly confidential. 

New Graphene Business Bounces out of The University of Manchester

4th September 2018

Grafine Ltd is a new business created to develop innovative high-performance rubbers, elastomers and other such soft materials enhanced with graphene - the extraordinary 2-dimensional material first produced in Manchester.

The business was founded by two University of Manchester academics, Dr Maria Iliut and Dr Aravind Vijayaraghavan. Both founders are world experts in graphene, and its use in making rubbers and elastomers stronger and more durable.

Dr Maria Iliut and Dr Aravind Vijayaraghavan

Grafine Ltd will be based at The University of Manchester’s Innovation Centre on Grafton Street and will use the University’s world-class facilities including the brand-new Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC) for its product development work.

Grafine is offering 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. Elastomers and rubbers are used world over in products such as tyres, shoes, gloves, industrial components, construction materials, coatings and medical devices. The global market size for rubber and elastomer products is forecast to be more than £70 billion by 2021.

Grafine Ltd is looking to exploit the potential of this massive global market and has already excited interest from global manufacturers of elastomer and rubber products. Grafine is currently negotiating development contracts with such companies.

Dr. Vijayaraghavan, who has been at the forefront of research into graphene for more than a decade, said: “We are very excited to launch Grafine Ltd because we have the specialist skills and know-how to help global manufacturing companies use new 2-dimensional materials like graphene effectively and cheaply.’ He continued: “Businesses in many sectors are continually striving to improve the properties of elastomeric compounds in order to enhance product performance in both existing and new applications. Graphene can further enhance the already excellent properties of rubber and elastomers by improving their strength, elasticity, flexibility, thermal stability, resistance to chemicals and durability.

Instron Machine Testing Tensile Strength of a Graphene Enhanced Elastomer

With the support of Grafine Ltd, manufacturing companies will be able to give product designers even greater flexibility when they create new products. “By working with Grafine Ltd, manufactures will be able to accelerate the speed with which they can bring these new elastomer composites to market while reducing risk and lowering cost”.

Dr. Iliut, the academic co-founder and Chief Technical Officer of Grafine, added: “Our business, Grafine Ltd, offers a range of consultancy services to companies wishing to exploit the benefits that these nano-materials can bring to their elastomeric products and coatings. Grafine will also sign commercial deals to license its know-how and patents allowing knowledge and technology transfer to its industrial customers.”

The University’s wholly owned subsidiary, Graphene Enabled Systems Ltd, has supported the academic founders and, with assistance from UMI3 Ltd (the University's IP commercialisation company), created Grafine Ltd.

Its CEO, Andrew Wilkinson, who represents the University on the Grafine Ltd board, is very optimistic about Grafine’s future. “Grafine offers manufacturers the skills and know-how in graphene-enhanced elastomer and rubber composites and coatings that would take them decades to develop in-house. As the company builds its customer base and grows we predict it will have a major impact on the use of 2-dimensional materials in the global rubber and elastomer market.”

For further information please contact : maria.iliut@gra-fine.com