Briggs puts ‘wonder material’ graphene to work

OLDHAM-based James Briggs, one of Europe’s largest manufacturers of aerosols and consumer chemicals, is to become the first company to commercialise wonder material graphene in high performance protective paints.

The manufacturer has announced a joint development agreement with Applied Graphene Materials plc (AGM) that will see James Briggs’ technical centre begin incorporating graphene nanoplatelets into its existing paint formulations with a view to launching a new range of high performing primers in early 2017.

It is expected that the introduction of the progressive material, first isolated in the North West by the University of Manchester, will significantly improve the protective properties of the new range.
 
Alongside this, the two businesses will be collaborating on potential applications for lubrication products given the improved friction properties offered by the application of graphene.

The news follows James Briggs’ announcement of a record financial year for 2015/16 with revenue up 12% to £51m as it looks to build its presence in international markets.

Tim Pugh, chief executive of James Briggs Ltd, said: “We are keen to become the first specialist chemicals and coatings company to take advantage of this exciting new technology.

“The detailed understanding that AGM brings in maximising the performance of graphene is impressive and we look forwards to rapidly incorporating this into our own extensive range of high performance products.”