Haydale has announced that it has started collaborating on the innovation and the supply of graphene with Vittoria and has received its first order for one tonne of functionalized graphene nanomaterial.
Vittoria is a leading manufacturer of performance bicycle tires and has since 2015 pioneered the application of graphene in the rubber of bicycle tires. The functionalized nanomaterial has been proven to create substantial improvements in grip, rolling resistance, puncture resistance and durability.
As a first step in their collaboration, Vittoria and Haydale have co-developed improved rubber compounds, which laboratory and field tests have shown further improve tire performance. Supply of the newly developed graphene compounds has already started, with a first order of one tonne of functionalized graphene to be delivered in the coming months. Using its new high-capacity HT1400 plasma reactor, Haydale is reportedly able to meet Vittoria's production requirements and stringent quality standards.
For the mid-term future, Vittoria and Haydale have agreed to investigate the possibility of producing functionalized graphene in Thailand, near the Vittoria factories. For this purpose, a Letter of Intent has been signed between Haydale and Vittoria's co-owned Thai nanotech subsidiary, Graphene Creations Limited ("Graphene Creations").
Haydale CEO Keith Broadbent, commenting on the developments, said: "We are excited to be working with Vittoria on their graphene enhanced cycling tires, which demonstrate the impact that our HDPlas® functionalization technology can have on the tire and wider elastomer market. We are also looking forward to working more closely with Graphene Creations, and to leveraging our technical expertise with their business development skills in Thailand."
Stijn Vriends, President and CEO of Vittoria Group adds: "Our unique know how of graphene helps us make the most advanced bicycle tires on the planet. We are very pleased to partner with Haydale to further innovate in this field and have local production of graphene in Thailand as a common goal."
Ted P. Thirapatana, CEO of Graphene Creations, comments: "We have been working with Haydale for the past couple of years on research and application development projects, so we are extremely confident that by combining Haydale's unique technical expertise on nanomaterials and our market access, we will further expand the commercialization of graphene into various industries. Our application development platform is built on several years of tested data collected throughout the sourcing, functionalization and production processes. It's just the beginning."