Universal Matter

Universal Matter GBR has collaborated with Tarmac, the UK's largest road construction firm, and Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council to use the Genable™ Pavement additive road surface in the UK's North East. The innovative material, which is said to be more durable and environmentally friendly, was used on a public road in Teesside.

The addition of graphene to the asphalt is said to extend the road's lifespan by reducing rutting and cracking, and increasing resistance to potholes. This promises a 'smoother journey' for drivers and less damage to vehicles, potentially leading to 'significant reductions' in the carbon footprint of roads. 

Westlake Innovations, Inc., a subsidiary of Westlake Corporation (NYSE: WLK), has announced it has invested in Universal Matter, who aims to become the leading supplier of high-quality and sustainable graphene and advanced materials to help decarbonize the planet. Westlake’s action builds upon the company’s commitment to helping develop a more sustainable future through continuous improvement its own manufacturing as well as strategic investments in innovative technologies and startup firms.

Universal Matter has pioneered and patented Flash Joule Heating (FJH) technology that allows for cost-effective, industrial-scale upcycling of carbon waste streams into high-quality graphene and graphitized carbon. First developed at Rice University, Universal Matter’s FJH technology creates graphene that is tunable across 1D, 2D, and 3D morphologies, granting superior properties that are critical for large industrial applications.

Earlier this year, Universal Matter acquired Applied Graphene Materials' assets for $1.3 million and then AGM changed its company name to Universal Matter GBR. Now, Universal Matter received support from The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) Carbon Ore Processing Program through a cooperative agreement. 

The company has demonstrated a novel graphene production technology called Flash Joule Heating (FJH), which can transform carbonaceous material feedstocks, including coal and coal-wastes, to high quality graphene.

In February 2023, Universal Matter acquired Applied Graphene Materials' assets for $1.3 million. Now, AGM has announced that it will be changing its company name to Universal Matter GBR Ltd, effective immediately. 

This rebranding aims to reflect the Company's commitment to delivering cutting-edge materials and innovative solutions to customers worldwide. 

In November 2022, Applied Graphene Materials (AGM) announced that it aimed to raise money to fund its operations, but was unable to do so. AGM Later said it received non-binding indicative proposals for its sale, and now the company has announced that Universal Matter has agreed to acquire the company's assets for $1.3 million.

AGM says that that the funds from the disposal of its business and main operating subsidiary will be mostly used to repay creditors, the company's staff and operating costs until the company can be wound down.

The ChemQuest Technology Institute recently entered a three-year collaborative agreement with Universal Matter, to push forward its graphene technology based on sustainable feedstocks.

ChemQuest will explore the benefits of the technology in applications for paints and coatings and identify the most valuable markets and opportunities for growth.

A team of researchers at the Rice University lab of chemist James Tour has designed a ‘Green’ process that produces pristine graphene in bulk using waste food, plastic and other materials. According to the team, this process can help facilitate a reduction of the environmental impact of concrete and other building materials.

The new process can turn bulk quantities of just about any carbon source into graphene flakes. The process is quick and cheap; Tour said the flash graphene technique can convert a ton of coal, food waste or plastic into graphene for a fraction of the cost used by other bulk graphene-producing methods.