Sparc Technologies’ graphene-based additives primed for commercialisation
Sparc managing director Mike Bartels said results from the comprehensive testing program enable the company to advance discussions with coatings companies.
South Australian-based Sparc Technologies (ASX: SPN) has reported an improvement of up to 40% in the anti-corrosive performance of its graphene-based additives with atmospheric epoxy coatings following six months of comprehensive testing to international protective and marine coating standards.
The epoxy coatings were used in testing with ecosparc and are among those which are commercially available from global coatings manufacturers.
The results confirmed Sparc’s ability to develop proprietary graphene-based additives targeted for use in improving the performance of anti-corrosive coatings.
Improved performance translates to an extended lifespan of a coating thereby stretching out the time to first maintenance.
It lowers the lifetime cost of a coatings system and can deliver quantitative benefits in terms of environmental and sustainability outcomes, which remain primary business objectives for Sparc.
Commercial agreements
Managing director Mike Bartels said the test results position Sparc to pursue commercial agreements in an addressable coatings market estimated to be worth $60 billion by 2025.
“Much is made of the properties afforded by graphene but few companies are in a position to provide the necessary data in support of product claims,” he said.
“We now have the data that aligns with information typically generated and recognised by the global coatings industry and we have delivered these results using commercially-available products.”
Sparc’s additives are termed as “drop in”, meaning they can be readily incorporated into products without significant modification to existing formulations.
“We have done the hard work for the coatings industry in evaluating and formulating our graphene-based additives,” Mr Bartels said.
“Our products are ready for market adoption.”
2D nano material
Graphene is a two-dimensional nano material made of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal pattern, giving it a unique range of properties which can be harnessed and used to develop graphene-based products for targeted applications.
Sparc has screened and selected specific grades of graphene for the development of its additives for use within the protective and marine coatings market.
In support of pending commercialisation, products intended for the protective and marine coatings market will carry “ecosparc graphene enhanced” branding.