IDTechEx's analyst explains his views on the graphene market

Dr Khasha Ghaffarzadeh, IDTechExA few weeks ago we reported on a new IDTechEx market report, in which they predict that the graphene market will reach nearly $200 million by 2026, with the estimation that the largest sectors will be composites, energy applications and graphene coatings.

We were very interested in learning more, and Dr Khasha Ghaffarzadeh, IDTechEx's head of consulting was kind enough to answer a few questions and explain the company's view on the graphene market.

Q: IDTechEx has been following graphene for a long time with dedicated events and reports. Why is this new material interesting for IDTechEx?

We have a long track record of analyzing emerging advanced materials such as quantum dots, CNTs, Ag nanostructures, silicon nanostructures, OLED materials, etc. We were however pulled into the world of graphene by our clients’ questions. Once in, we soon realized that there is a big synergy between graphene and our events. in fact, our events on supercapacitors and printed electronics were the right near-term addressable market for graphene, and that is why we managed to rapidly build up the largest business-focused event on graphene. Our events on graphene are held in the USA and Europe each year see www.IDTechEx.com/usa.

Read the full story Posted: Sep 04,2015

An interview with Cambridge NanoSystems' Chief Scientist

Cambridge Nanosystems (CNS) was spun-off from the University of Cambridge last year with with an aim to supply graphene and SWCNT materials. The company recently started building a 5-yearly ton graphene factory with the help of a £500,000 grant from the Technology Strategy Board. The new factory is due to open in 2015.


Catharina Paukner, the company's chief scientist, was kind enough to answer a few questions we had on the company and its technology and also share her views on the graphene market.

Read the full story Posted: Dec 09,2014

An interview with Rahul Fotedar, Co-founder of Graphene Batteries

Graphene Batteries is a Norwegian company that was founded over two years ago in order to explore the potential of graphene in batteries and develop practical graphene-based battery products.

Its vision is to provide robust battery materials for a renewable energy ecosystem, aiming to create durable battery materials that are reliable, safe and green. 

The sample, which is the proprietary LFP/graphene powder (cathode material for Li-ion batteries). It has about 20% higher capacity than the state of the art carbon coated LFP powder, an improvement that is even more significant at higher currents. MoreoveThe sample, which is the proprietary LFP/graphene powder (cathode material for Li-ion batteries). It has about 20% higher capacity than the state of the art carbon coated LFP powder, an improvement that is even more significant at higher currents. Moreove

Read the full story Posted: Nov 24,2014

Graphene 3D Lab aims to have commercial graphene-based 3D printing materials in 6 months

Dr. Elena Polyakova photoUsing graphene as a 3D printing material is a very hot topic lately, with many companies attempting to unlock this market - including Graphene 3D Lab, Graphene Technologies, Grafoid, AGT, Qingdao Unique Products and others.

Graphene 3D Lab, a joint-venture between Graphene Labs and Lomiko Metals which recently went public in Canada, is one of the leaders in this new market. The company's founder and COO, Dr. Elena Polyakova, was kind enough to explain the company's technology and business and answer a few questions I had.

Read the full story Posted: Sep 12,2014

Interview with Angstron Materials' head of marketing and business development

Angstron Materials (owned by Nanotek Instruments and based in Ohio, USA) is a graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) and single-layer graphene sheets developer and producer.

Ian Fuller, the company's marketing and business development chief, was kind enough to answer a few questions we had regarding the company's technology and business. Ian joined Nanotek Instruments in 2006, focusing on fuel cells. He later joined the Angstron Materials team.

Read the full story Posted: Feb 02,2014

Cientifica's CEO talks about the company's IPO and future business plans

Tim Harper photoA couple of months ago Cientifica raised £241,000 ($389,000) in the UK's stock exchange and the company is now public. According to press releases, Cientifica aims to acquire and build businesses that make use of graphene materials. The company will invest in by buying shares or by buying IP, assets or entering into partnerships of joint-venture arrangements.

Cientifica's CEO Tim Harper was kind enough to answer a few questions I had regarding the company's business and future plans. So first of all - congratulations Tim on the fund raising, the readmission to the AIM and on being the world's first pure-play-graphene applications public company!

Read the full story Posted: Dec 12,2013

Haydale updates on their graphene inks and GNPs, expects products based on graphene inks by early 2014

Back in June 2013, Haydale (owned by ICL from May 2011) announced that it developed metal-free graphene-based inks. Haydale, established in 2003 with strong links with Swansea University, is developing and marketing carbon materials under the HDPlas brand. The company currently focuses on graphene, CNTs and zinc nanomaterials. Ray Gibbs, ICL's Commercial Directory was kind enough to update us on Haydale's new inks and more aspects of their business and technology.

Haydale developed their own Split-Plasma process to convert mined graphite ore into functionalised graphene flakes (nanoplatelets). This scalable and environmentally friendly method is claimed to be significantly quicker and substantially more cost efficient than other methods. Split-Plasma does not damage the materials and can be controlled to provide appropriate functionalisation levels that are not restricted to the chemical groups associated with other "wet" chemistry processing methods. One of its unique characteristics is that the process can (and has) been used to functionalise synthetically produced graphene materials.

Read the full story Posted: Oct 13,2013

Graphene Frontiers technology and business explained

Last week we reported that Graphene Frontiers has been awarded a $744,600 grant from the NSF to develop and scale up their roll-to-roll graphene production. After discussing this with Graphene Frontier's CEO Michael D. Patterson, we have some more information about the company's technology and its business.

Graphene Frontier's technology was developed at the University of Pennsylvania. It is called Atmospheric Pressure CVD, or APCVD. This roll-to-roll process does not need a vacuum so it works in room pressure. The equipment required is smaller, faster and cheaper compared to CVD and this means that the manufacturing will be cost effective.

Read the full story Posted: Sep 22,2013

Interview with Sean Christiansen, Garmor's VP of engineering

Garmor announced a few days ago that it will begin to start producing graphene oxide flakes next month using its low-cost environmentally-friendly production process. Sean Christiansen, Garmor's VP of engineering has been kind enough to answer a few question regarding the company's business and technology.

Dr. Christiansen received his Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 2001. Since then he worked in several companies, helping them to commercialize new innovations in high technology industries.

Read the full story Posted: Jul 16,2013

Interview with Mike Knox, XG Sciences co-founder and CEO

Michigen based XG Sciences uses Michigan State University developed technology to develop and produce Graphene Nanoplatelets, or xGnPs. Those short stacks of graphene sheets made through a proprietary manufacturing process can be used to replace carbon nanotubes - at a lower cost.

Michael Knox, the company's co-founder and CEO was kind enough to answer a few questions we had. During the previous 25 years, Mr. Knox has been involved in a number of different businesses as an owner or an officer. Mr. Knox has a BA in Economics and an MBA in Finance from the University of Minnesota.

Read the full story Posted: Jul 07,2013