Investing in public graphene stocks - Page 17

A spin-out company from the graphene innovation ecosystem at The University of Manchester has formed an international partnership that will spearhead an unprecedented scale-up of graphene-based technologies intended “to make a substantial impact on global CO₂ emissions”.    

UK-based Graphene Innovations Manchester (GIM), founded by University graduate Dr Vivek Koncherry, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Quazar Investment Company to create a new company in the UAE. This UK-UAE partnership - which highlights potential opportunity for UK innovators to access global investment and international markets and supply chains - will be one of the most ambitious projects to date to commercialize graphene as it fast-tracks cutting-edge R&D into large-scale manufacture – an investment vision worth a total of $1billion.

NanoXplore and Martinrea International, a global automotive supplier engaged in the design, development and manufacturing of highly engineered, value-added Lightweight Structures and Propulsion Systems, through its subsidiary, Martinrea Innovation Developments, have announced NanoXplore's purchase of Martinrea Innovation's 50% equity stake in VoltaXplore.

NanoXplore now owns 100% of the equity and intellectual property in VoltaXplore and Martinrea has increased its existing equity position in NanoXplore from 21.1% to 22.7%. VoltaXplore was formed as a joint venture between NanoXplore and Martinrea in 2021 to collaborate on developing graphene-enhanced Li-ion battery cells for electric vehicles and grid storage and to explore the potential to build a battery gigafactory. NanoXplore will seek to finance the battery gigafactory within VoltaXplore.

LayerOne (formerly  Abalonyx) and SINTEF  (a Norway-based research institute) have secured funding from The Norwegian Research Council for the development of innovative, scalable and sustainable conductive inks based on reduced graphene oxide (rGO). The rGO-based inks promise improved electrical conductivity and stability surpassing traditional carbon-based inks and offering a less toxic and more cost-effective alternative to metal-based inks.

The research project is a result of LayerOne’s recent breakthrough in developing a new grade of rGO with an electrical conductivity two orders of magnitude greater than standard rGO grades. In the project, LayerOne will supply the advanced rGO materials while SINTEF will leverage and build on its experience from recently concluded projects on printed electronics to develop the new conductive inks.

Versarien has stated that it will require further funding to support its activities as it continues to face a number of challenges. However, the Company said it has the potential to deliver significant returns from the commercialization of its technology and expects to overcome the challenges and successfully commercialize its significant technology base.

Versarien's Board is evaluating options for divestment of its mature businesses, which are no longer core activities, to focus solely on exploiting graphene technology. In addition, the Board is reviewing its overseas operations in Spain and South Korea. The Company noted that significant cost reductions have already occurred, and non-executive directors have agreed to waive any remuneration from the company indefinitely. The executive directors' pay is also being reviewed. Despite these cost reductions, as abovementioned, the Company will require further funding to support its activities, and the Board is evaluating all appropriate options.

Today we published a new edition of our Graphene Investment Guide, with all the latest information, including new companies that are now trading, financial updates and news from all public graphene companies and companies that have gone out of business.

The global financial situation has deteriorated in the last few months, and the graphene industry is no exception. Companies find it more difficult to raise funds, and we see a trend of liquidations and consolidations - and this is likely to accelerate. Our updated guide may help to navigate the current graphene financial markets turmoil!

The Graphene Investment Guide includes:

• An introduction to graphene
• An overview of graphene's most exciting applications
• An analysis of graphene's potential
• Market forecasts from leading analysts
• Detailed descriptions and financials of all public graphene companies
• Over 80 financial reports and company presentations (premium edition only)
• Graphene-Info's own investment thesis and action plan

Any technology-driven investor that wishes to stay current on the most promising new nanotechnology should look into this report. The report includes extensive data and information needed to launch a successful strategic graphene investment portfolio.

UK-based Evove, developer of a graphene-based water filtration technology designed to tackle water shortage, has announced that it has secured £5.7 million (around USD$6,750,000) in a round of funding led by One Ventures with participation from AM Ventures and existing investors.

Evove says it will use the funds to expand its manufacturing capacity, scale up its 3D-printed membrane process, and capitalize on its substantial pipeline of opportunities. 

UK-based graphene developer Haydale announced its unaudited interim results for the six months ended 31 December 2022 (H1 FY2023). Revenues were £1.78 million (up 50% from H1 FY2022), and operating loss was £1.89 million (up from £1.75 million in 2022). At the end of the year, Haydale had £2.97 million, following a successful fund raise of  £5.14 million in September 2022.

The updates that it is starting to sell its biomedical inks in Europe, with advanced trials being conducted by several parties which include electronic blood glucose reader compatibility tests. 

SoundCell, a spin-off of TU Delft, has secured funding of €350,000 from proof-of-concept fund UNIIQ, together with Delft Enterprises. The funds will go towards facilitating the development of its graphene technology for single cell resolution antibiotic sensitivity testing.

SoundCell develops innovative technology that can measure the vibrations produced by living bacteria. This technology makes use of graphene membranes and could have significant implications for the detection and prevention of antibiotic resistance, as it would enable patients to receive effective medication against bacterial infections faster than today’s standard.

In November 2022, Applied Graphene Materials (AGM) announced that it aimed to raise money to fund its operations, but was unable to do so. AGM Later said it received non-binding indicative proposals for its sale, and now the company has announced that Universal Matter has agreed to acquire the company's assets for $1.3 million.

AGM says that that the funds from the disposal of its business and main operating subsidiary will be mostly used to repay creditors, the company's staff and operating costs until the company can be wound down.

Talga Group has announced the completion of an institutional placement of A$40 million (around USD$27,316,000) from the issue of 25.8 million new fully paid ordinary Talga shares. The oversubscribed Placement, managed by Euroz Hartleys Limited, was reportedly supported by a range of new and existing sophisticated, professional and institutional investors. 

The proceeds will be used to fund Vittangi Anode Project early works, including earthworks and site infrastructure at the Luleå anode refinery site, commencement of procurement of anode equipment and detailed engineering, scaled up EVA production, silicon anode scale-up including securing commercial site, and general working capital (including costs of the Placement).