14 December 2016
Versarien plc
Graphene enhanced PAEK Thermoplastics Agreement
Versarien plc (AIM:VRS) ("Versarien" or the "Company" or the "Group"), the advanced materials group, is pleased to announce an agreement with Scafell Organics Ltd ("Scafell") to develop graphene enhanced polyaryletherketones (PAEK) materials.
PAEK materials are a family of semi-crystalline thermoplastics with high-temperature stability and high mechanical strength. They are used for a very wide variety of specialist applications, including in the automotive and aerospace industries.
Scafell is an independent, specialist producer of niche polymer chemicals primarily for the chemical, pharmaceutical and aerospace markets.
It is intended that Versarien will utilise Scafell's facilities and production expertise to produce graphene enhanced PAEK materials using Versarien supplied graphene nano platelets. It is anticipated that these graphene enhanced materials will be available for sale by Versarien through its sales team as well as Scafell's customers.
David Bowen FRSC, Director of Scafell, commented: "Scafell Organics Ltd are pleased to announce a new collaboration with Versarien. This collaboration will allow the development and production of a range of new and exciting high performance polymers for niche applications."
Neill Ricketts, CEO of Versarien, commented: "We are delighted to have reached agreement with Scafell to utilise their expertise in PAEK materials. PAEK plastics are high value specialist polymer materials exhibiting superb mechanical properties which we have proven independently can be enhanced through the use of our graphene nano-platelets. We have already had enquiries from our customer base to use these materials and look forward to developing a range of specialist materials that meet the needs of industry. We are looking forward to working with Scafell and accelerating the time to market for graphene enhanced PAEK products. This is another example of us developing our graphene technology in our chosen areas of carbon fibre composites, polymers and batteries."
For further information please contact:
Versarien plc |
|
Neill Ricketts - Chief Executive Officer |
+44 (0) 1242 269 122 |
Chris Leigh - Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
|
WH Ireland (Nominated Adviser) |
www.whirelandplc.com |
Mike Coe / Ed Allsopp |
+44 (0) 117 945 3470 |
|
|
IFC Advisory (Financial PR and IR) |
|
Tim Metcalfe / Graham Herring / Heather Armstrong / Miles Nolan |
+44 (0) 20 3053 8671 |
Notes to Editors:
About Versarien
Versarien plc (AIM:VRS), is an advanced engineering materials group. Leveraging proprietary technology, the Group creates innovative engineering solutions for its clients in a diverse range of industries. Versarien has four subsidiaries operating under two divisions:
Thermal and Hard Wear Products
Versarien Technologies Ltd. which owns the exclusive rights to a patent-protected additive process for creating advanced micro-porous metals targeting the thermal management industry and manufactures extruded aluminium heat sinks for the electronics and computing industries. www.versarien-technologies.co.uk
Total Carbide Ltd, a leading manufacturer in sintered tungsten carbide for applications in arduous environments such as the oil and gas industry. www.totalcarbide.com
Graphene and Plastics
2-DTech Ltd, which specialises in the supply, characterisation and early stage development of graphene products. www.2-dtech.com
ACC Cyroma Ltd, which specialises in the supply of vacuum-formed and injection-moulded products to the automotive, construction, utilities and retail industry sectors. Using Versarien's existing graphene manufacturing capabilities, AAC will have the ability to produce graphene-enhanced plastic products. www.aaccyroma.co.uk