REDCAR, UK — Applied Graphene Materials (AGM) is celebrating its 10-year anniversary in 2020. Founded as a spin-off from Durham University, AGM is now a leader in the development and application of graphene dispersions for customers in the coatings, composites and functional materials sectors.

Professor Karl Coleman, who had developed a bottom-up production process for the manufacture of graphene materials, founded AGM on July 29, 2010. Since those early days, AGM has made major technology advances in the application of this new class of materials – adding performance-enhancing characteristics to a range of product categories. Today, AGM’s graphene is incorporated into a number of consumer products sold by major retailers, and the company’s own range of graphene dispersions is being offered to end users worldwide via a growing distribution network.

To date, AGM has announced consumer product launches through its customers, including:

• August 2019 - Alltimes Coatings Ltd. launched its Advantage Graphene liquid coating roofing system - significantly enhanced anti-corrosion performance delivered by incorporating AGM’s graphene, and includes an unparalleled 30-year warranty;
• October 2019 – Halfords launched in-store and online sales of a Graphene primer – the aerosol primer produces exceptional corrosion protection, due to AGM’s graphene dispersion;
• October 2019 - James Briggs Ltd. (JBL) launched its Hycote graphene anti-corrosion primer – the product is on sale in the mainstream market on Amazon and Tetrosyl Express; and
• January 2020 – Graphene-enhanced Top Coat MT product for harsh environment industrial coatings applications demanding outstanding anti-corrosion protection for end-customers such as Avanti.

Headquartered in Redcar, Teesside, UK, AGM’s geographical footprint has expanded substantially over recent years. AGM recently announced the signing of its latest distribution partner, Will & Co, which will extend the company’s sales reach into the Benelux region. In addition to its own commercial hubs in the U.K. and the United States, AGM now has distribution agreements with local expert chemicals and coatings distributors in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Greece, Italy, South Africa and Japan.

Teesside Mayor Ben Houchen visited AGM in March 2020 to learn about the company’s role in advancing the global development of “wonder material” graphene.

Ben Houchen, Mayor of Tees Valley, said, “There is some truly amazing ground-breaking work going on right here in Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool that is attracting attention right across the world, and Applied Graphene Materials is a great example of that.

“I have visited this fantastic local business to learn all about their work and the opportunities they are creating in the region. They are an example of a firm creating the products of the future in sectors we need to support, and we as a region are leading the way.

“Congratulations to Applied Graphene Materials on a brilliant 10 years, and I’m sure they will continue to be a world-leading firm in the years to come.”