Norway-based Graphene Oxide developer Abalonyx says that there is a strong interest in graphene oxide (GO) solutions in the research community, across a wide range of applications. While first industrial adoption is "on the horizon", Abalonyx estimates that industry acceptance is strongly related to cost.
Abalonyx' current production cost is around â¬800 per Kg (dry weight basis) - since the Company's GO is currently used by researchers and early R&D efforts. Abalonyx estimates that as production volume goes up, the price of production could reach around 22 Euro / Kg - which will make GO applicable for areas such as concrete and asphalt. The projection is based on the company's own extrapolation of today's capacity and the effect of full-automation. The cost does not include waste handling (although Abalonyx believes that it will be able to handle that at no cost). Abalonyx is currently selling its GO at â¬1,300 - â¬4,000 per Kg depending on amount and grade (â¬1.3 - â¬4 per gram).
Abalonyx currently produces its GO materials at its south east Norway facility. The company produces 1.1 Kg per batch, and usually produces less than 1 batch per week as demand is still limited. The company says it can easily increase its production to around 800 Kg/year.
Abalonyx is involved with several projects, related to energy, coatings, membranes and more. One such project is the development of r-GO anode materials for Lithium-Sulfur batteries (Li-S). The Company explains that graphene could help solve at least some of the challenges that hold Li-S technology back, and the company is collaborating with its "sister" company Graphene Batteries. Abalonyx sees possible applications in Drone batteries - which could find benefits in the light weight of Li-S batteries compared to current Li-Ion solutions.
Abalonyx is also developing r-GO electrode materials for Supercapacitors.