Directa Plus was established in 2005 in Italy to develop innovative nanomaterial production processes. The company developed its own exfoliation process (which they call G+) that can be used to produce super-expanded graphite, pristine GNPs, water-dispersed GNPs and fine nanographite powder (all of them marketed under the G+ brand).
In 2014, the company inaugurated its 30-ton graphene plant in Lomazzo, Como. In April 2015 Directa Plus received a grant of €5.5 million. The company is involved with several projects and is providing its materials for textile makers, 3D printing, bicycle wheels and environmental applications.
Directa Plus is a public company that trades in the UK AIM (DCTA:L).
The latest Directa Plus graphene news:
Directa Plus to buy 51% of commercial partner Setcar and raise new funds
Directa Plus recently reported a broadly unchanged interim loss, despite a 56% year-on-year rise in revenue, and said that it plans to acquire a majority stake in a Romanian waste management and decontamination services business for EUR4.1 million.
Directa Plus also said it will raise up to GBP8.2 million to fund the Romanian stake acquisition.
Directa Plus signs contract to use graphene product to recover crude oil from European wells
Directa Plus recently announced that it has been awarded a supply and service contract from an unnamed international oil and gas company. The contract will involve treating and recovering crude oil from producing wells onshore across Europe.
Specifically, Directa Plus will be paid EUR150,000 to use its graphene-based Grafysorber technology, a product that is used to treat water contaminated by hydrocarbons, to treat several thousand cubic meters of sludges and by-products over the next six months.
Vittoria to launch new range of graphene-enhanced bicycle tires
Italian bicycle tire manufacturer Vittoria Industries recently announced that it is launching a new range of products employing a second generation of its graphene-filler technology. The graphene supplier is assumed to be Perpetuus Carbon, as the two companies signed a long-term supply agreement for graphene materials.
It was said that while the first-generation generally enhanced the performance of tires, the new 2.0 graphene is functionalized to improve specific tire performances, targeting metrics like speed, wet grip, durability and puncture resistance.
Directa Plus secures patent for graphene-enhanced golf balls
Directa Plus has recently been awarded a patent in Italy to make golf balls using its G+ graphene enhancement. G+ compounds in golf balls can reportedly make professionals hit them even further while less skilled players will enjoy improved swing and shot control.
"Using our G+ product in golf balls, for both the amateur and professional game is an exciting opportunity to enter a large sporting market," said Giulio Cesareo, the firm's chief executive.
Directa Plus extends graphene-enhanced clothing partnership with Alfredo Grassi
Directa Plus and clothing group Alfredo Grassi have extended their exclusive relationship to develop graphene-enhanced clothing for up to a further three years. The two companies will focus on the use of graphene to enhance military outerwear as well as work-wear for organizations like the Italian police and fire services.
Directa Plus and Grassi have already been working together for three years and reportedly produced more than 80,000 meters of fabric enhanced with graphene.