European tyre maker trialling Versarien’s Nanene

A small beginning, but a beginning nonetheless: Advanced engineering materials group Versarien plc announced today that a “leading tyre producer, based in Europe” has placed a purchase order for its proprietary Nanene few layer graphene nano-platelets. This order was cultivated via Versarien’s distributor OQEMA plc, formerly Lansdowne Chemicals Limited.

To begin with, Versarien will provide a test quantity of 500 grams of Nanene in order for the tyre maker to explore the benefits of adding graphene to automotive sector tyres. Should testing yield positive results, it is expected that further orders will follow.

“We are delighted to have secured this initial contract to supply Nanene to a leading producer of tyres. We look forward to working with them to explore the benefits that graphene can bring to their products,” said Neill Ricketts, chief executive officer of Versarien. “Our relationship with OQEMA is expected to bring us further exciting opportunities and we are very pleased to have the support of such a significant player in the global distribution arena.”

Robert Moss, group managing director of OQEMA UK, added: “OQEMA UK is delighted to announce our first commercial transaction with Versarien for graphene. This innovative material has caught the imagination of a wide variety of sectors, who see the fantastic potential in two-dimensional materials. Without doubt, companies like Versarien are leading the way in creating the materials of the future. OQEMA is committed to partnering with innovation sources to bring these materials to wider markets as we embrace modernisation.

“Graphene’s numerous benefits have almost limitless potential,” Moss continued. “New and exciting applications are being discovered on a daily basis which can only yield an exciting future for companies such as OQEMA and Versarien who are willing to put themselves at the forefront of technical advancement.”