University research centre agrees three deals

Manchester University’s recently completed £60m Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre has agreed the first in a series of industrial partnerships.

First Graphene, Haydale Graphene Industries, and Versarien have signed up with the GEIC in order to look at opportunities to develop and commercialise graphene products and applications.

Graphene is one of the strongest materials in the world and will be used by a number of manufacturers including making trainers.

The GEIC, which is housed in the Masdar building near Manchester city centre, was recently handed over to the  University from contractors ahead of an official opening later this year.

Along with the National Graphene Institute (NGI) and the Henry Royce Institute (set to be completed in 2019) the GEIC will be crucial in maintaining the UK’s world leading position in advanced materials.

James Baker, chief executive of Graphene@Manchester said: “The GEIC is a key component of the University’s strategy for Graphene@Manchester.

“Our aim is to accelerate the commercialisation of real-world applications and transition graphene and other 2D materials from the lab to the marketplace.

“The GEIC will bring in an additional 30 staff in addition to academics to grow community to over 300 graphene-related staff at the University.

“First Graphene, Haydale and Versarien are the first companies to sign-up with the GEIC as a ‘Tier One’ partners.

“We anticipate that Tier One partners are likely to be larger SMEs and multinationals with interests that span multiple application domains.”

The GEIC will focus on industry-led application development in partnership with academics.

First Graphene has successfully developed a number of applications for graphene through collaboration with Australian universities, including FireStop fire retardant and BEST supercapacitors.

The deal is its first major collaboration within the UK.

First Graphene chairman, Warwick Grigor said “First Graphene is very pleased to join with The University of Manchester team at GEIC, establishing a presence in the UK for the first time.

“The strong focus of GEIC on industry collaboration is an important step in taking graphene applications into manufacturing, thereby accelerating the commercialisation path.”

Haydale has partnered with the GEIC following-on from previous work with the NGI.

Based in Loughborough, the company focuses on enabling technology for the commercialisation of graphene and other nanomaterials.

Versarien has also continued their partnership with The University of Manchester and have agreed to partner with the GEIC as part of the company’s increasing production capabilities of graphene.

The university is also in talks with a number of other companies.