Versarien agrees deal for graphene inks, launches new product range

Shares in materials engineer Versarien jumped on Friday after a wide-ranging agreement was made over graphene-based inks and a new 'Graphinks' product range was launched.

Arrow GreenTech is an India-based holding company and a leading global manufacturer of cast water-soluble film, and Versarien has agreed to an exclusive commercial arrangement for the supply of the its propriety graphene inks to Arrow, for onward supply to the water-soluble film market world-wide.

Neill Ricketts, chief executive of Versarien, said: "We are delighted to have entered into this Agreement with Arrow GreenTech, providing both a strong channel for our Graphinks into the fast growing water soluble film market and, more widely, a strong partner for Versarien in India."

The two companies will collaborate on exploring the benefits of using graphene in the production of items such as banknotes, while Arrow will also act as an agent in Versarien’s dealings with the tyre and associated rubber sectors in India.

Versarien will grant Arrow the right of first refusal to enter into discussions regarding any future plans for the firm to create a manufacturing facility in India.

Meanwhile, new product range Graphinks, produced by the subsidiary Cambridge Graphene, has recently been trademarked by the AIM traded firm and is the brand under which the its range of proprietary graphene inks will now be marketed.

The products are developed at the Cambridge Graphene Centre, University of Cambridge.

Neill Ricketts, chief executive of Versarien, said: "The introduction of Graphinks into our stable of 2D materials further widens the ability of Versarien to deliver innovative solutions for industry. There are numerous potential applications for Graphinks, which can be customised to meet the individual requirements of customers, and we anticipate substantial commercial demand."

The company said the range consists of high performance, electrically conductive, graphene inks which are suitable for applications such as printing processes, flexible electronics and antennas.

The products are produced using a scalable process and are aqueous, environmentally friendly and non-toxic, according to Versarien.

As of 0822 BST, Versarien’s shares were up 12.23% at 105.50p.