Directa Plus has reported that a deal to supply a special grade of its G+ graphene product, known as ITC1, to its partner, Iterchimica. The G+ product is the differentiating component of Gipave, an asphalt super-modifier developed by Directa Plus and Iterchimica and follows successful trials in Italy and the UK.
The agreement signed by the companies provides for the exclusive supply of the G+ graphene product to Iterchimica in the asphalt and bitumen sector worldwide and is for an initial duration of three years.
Results from the UK trials in November 2019 are expected shortly and the company revealed it is seeing growing interest from asphalt companies in the UK and USA.
"The potential of Gipave to potentially triple the life of roads and runways is attracting significant worldwide interest from the construction industry. Its ecological benefits will also help countries to meet their carbon reduction obligations and free up resources at a time when all national and regional governments need financial assistance to fight the current COVID-19 pandemic," said Giulio Cesareo, the founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of Directa Plus in a statement.
Federica Giannattasio, Iterchimica’s CEO, added: "This agreement confirms and continues a co-operation we started four years ago. We now hope to work together on the large-scale roll-out of Gipave and following the first trial section laid in Oxfordshire, we hope the UK will be among the leaders in adopting graphene technology for road pavements."
In November 2017, Directa Plus and Iterchimica announced their collaboration to develop new graphene-enhanced asphalt additive. In January 2020, the two companies announced plans to launch a trial of their graphene-enhanced asphalt at an international airport.