Sparc Technologies has announced a commercial milestone for its graphene-based ecosparc additive, with AkzoNobel planning to release an ecosparc‑enhanced version of its heavy-duty Interzone 954 protective coating in the Australian market starting May 2026.
AkzoNobel will initially offer the ecosparc-enhanced Interzone 954 on a made-to-order basis via its local manufacturing facility in Australia. The launch follows more than six years of ecosparc research and development by Sparc, alongside several years of collaboration with AkzoNobel that has included extensive laboratory testing and over 21 months of field trials on steel infrastructure in corrosive environments.
Interzone 954 is a high-build glass flake epoxy coating with a long track record in demanding applications such as offshore oil and gas, offshore wind towers, jetties, sluice gates and petrochemical facilities. The new variant represents the first widely used protective coating to incorporate Sparc’s ecosparc graphene-based additive.
Sparc managing director Nick O’Loughlin called the commercial release a significant breakthrough for both the company and the wider graphene sector. He noted that it builds on the first commercial sale of ecosparc recorded in December 2025 and positions the AkzoNobel product release as an important platform for future revenue growth. He also highlighted the move as strong validation from a global coatings leader for Sparc’s long-running development program in graphene additives.
The commercial arrangement between Sparc and AkzoNobel is based on an agreed price per kilogram for ecosparc, though specific pricing remains confidential. The agreement does not include minimum volumes or a fixed term, and Sparc has cautioned investors not to place undue reliance on near-term revenue from Australian sales of the ecosparc-enhanced Interzone 954.
Ecosparc has been developed as a performance additive for epoxy-based anti-corrosive protective coatings, designed to deliver improved performance at low loadings and to enhance reliability, longevity, safety and life-cycle cost of coated steel assets. Sparc reports that multiple global coatings manufacturers are currently evaluating ecosparc in anti-corrosive formulations, and the company is also working directly with asset owners through additional field trials in a range of corrosive environments.
