20 December 2023

Directa Plus plc

("Directa Plus", the "Group" or the "Company")

Landmark agreement to acquire groundbreaking technology for G+ graphene compounds 

Directa Plus PLC, a leading producer and supplier of graphene nanoplatelets based products for use in consumer and industrial markets, has signed a landmark agreement with an Italian innovator to acquire the proprietary know-how for a system capable of preparing tailored graphene compounds for application initially in Batteries and Polymers. The acquisition marks a strategic leap for Directa Plus' positioning in the value chain, enabling the provision of G+® technology and additional compounds in a single, easily usable format for our customers in these markets.

The acquired know-how and technology enables dry encapsulation of G+ graphene nanoplatelets into different compound carriers for different exacting applications. This groundbreaking system is at the forefront of technological innovation, offering unprecedented industry advantages at low cost.

Key Advantages:

-      Batteries: The technology enables the production of universal graphene preparations, characterised by homogenous dispersion and stability. This technology positions Directa Plus at the forefront of supplying ready-to-use graphene preparations for battery applications that demand simple, consistent, low cost solutions.

-      Polymers:  The technology enables the production of a tailored graphene-based compound that will be used as an additive for polymers such as plastics and advanced polymers. This compound allows a more homogeneous dispersion of graphene in the final applications.

The global market for batteries and polymers is experiencing significant growth, driven by technological advancements and increasing demand for sustainable materials. The battery market alone is projected to grow exponentially, fuelled by the increase in demand for electric vehicles and the expansion of renewable energy storage systems. Similarly, the polymer industry is evolving with a focus on high-performance, sustainable materials, opening up new opportunities for innovation and growth.

According to the report 'Global Markets for Graphene and Other 2D Materials 2023-2033' by Future Markets, the annual Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of graphene demand for batteries and composites is projected to exceed 25% from 2023 to 2033, reaching over 2,000,000 kilograms of graphene in the battery industry and nearly 3,500,000 kilograms in polymers. This signifies a substantial future market opportunity for Directa Plus in these sectors.

Commenting on this Giulio Cesareo, founder & CEO of Directa Plus, said: "Batteries and polymers are two important future markets for Directa Plus and whilst we continue to focus on our core markets of Environmental Remediation and Textiles, it is important to maintain development of these new G+ graphene compounds. The acquired technology accelerates our route to market by combining our proven G+® technology with a complementary system to produce market ready low cost solutions for batteries and polymers."

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Notes to Editors

Directa Plus (www.directa-plus.com) is one of the largest producers and suppliers of graphene-based products for use in consumer and industrial markets. The Company's graphene manufacturing capability uses proprietary patented technology based on a plasma super expansion process. Starting from natural graphite, each step of Directa Plus' production process - expansion, exfoliation and drying - creates graphene-based materials and hybrid graphene materials ready for a variety of uses and available in various forms such as powder, liquid and paste.

This proprietary production process uses a physical process, rather than a chemical process, to process graphite into pristine graphene nanoplatelets, which enables Directa Plus to offer a sustainable, non-toxic product, without unwanted by-products.

Directa Plus' products are made of hybrid graphene materials and graphene nano-platelets. The products (marketed as G+(R)) have multiple applications due to its properties. These G+(R) products can be categorised into various families, with different products being suitable for specific practical applications.

Directa Plus was established in 2005 and is based in Lomazzo (Como, Italy) and has been listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange since May 2016. Directa Plus holds the Green Economy Mark from London Stock Exchange which recognises companies that contribute to the global green economy.