Versarien

Versarien has announced it has raised £550,000 before expenses (over USD$700,000) by way of a placing new ordinary shares.

The net proceeds will be used for the purchase of concrete and mortar testing equipment to support the ongoing Cementene^TM admixture developments for BS934 accreditation, and for use in testing new mortars and products developed using the Company's 3D construction printing capability, in addition to general corporate and working capital purposes.

Versarien’s strategic realignment to core graphene technology reportedly resulted in narrowed losses and an improved cash position in the six months up to 31 March. 

Operational highlights in the period included agreement with MCK Tech in Korea for the exclusive license of five CVD patents. Versarien also sold its South Korean plant and equipment to MCK Tech for £604,000. The Company secured a know-how and manufacturing license agreement with Montana Quimica LTDA, a Brazilian multinational focused on paints and wood finishing products. Additionally, Versarien entered into a mutual letter of commitment to support Building for Humanity in providing 3D concrete printed materials for social housing in Accrington.

Versarien has announced that it has, in line with its stated strategy to monetize intellectual property through licensing, entered into a manufacturing license agreement and a know-how license and technical assistance agreement with Montana Química ("Montana"). Montana is a Brazilian headquartered multinational business focused on the production and sale of paints, wood preservatives and other wood finishing products including stains and varnishes. The agreements cover the use of the Company's proprietary graphene and related material dispersions and formulations (Graphinks™) in products to be manufactured and sold by Montana in South America, together with Versarien providing further additional know-how, technical assistance and training to Montana.

Under the terms of these agreements, Versarien has granted a license to Montana, for an initial period of five years, to use certain intellectual property and know-how owned by the Company in their business in South America. Montana will pay Versarien initial fees of £50,000 in March 2024 in consideration of the know-how and technical assistance, including training, to be provided. Once Montana commences manufacturing under the agreement, a further payment of £25,000 will be due to the Company, together with an amount equal to 5% of the total sales revenue earned from products manufactured using Versarien's intellectual property and know-how, subject to minimum royalty payments of £25,000 per annum.

Versarien has announced that it has entered into an agreement with MCK Tech to sell the Group's plant and equipment in South Korea for a total consideration of £604,000, together with an exclusive license agreement with MCK Tech for the use of five patents, owned by the Group, for additional fees.

The Company continues to pursue its stated turnaround strategy, an integral part of which is to dispose of non-core businesses and assets. The plant and equipment acquired from Hanwha Aerospace in South Korea in 2020 were identified as non-core and marketed for sale. The Group's mature businesses, AAC Cyroma Limited and Total Carbide Limited, continue to be marketed for sale and the Company is progressing discussions with a number of interested parties, though the timing of any further asset sales and the quantum of the funds that may be received remains uncertain.

Versarien has updated that it has raised £400,000 through a placing to bolster its working capital position and take advantage of business leads it is receiving.

The Company will use this further funding to progress the conversion of recent leads while the asset sale discussions continue. Versarien also recently signed a sales agreement with Go To Gym for the distribution of Graphene-Wear products across the Americas, and a collaboration with IRPC, a Thai petroleum and petrochemical giant, for the co-development of advanced materials.

Versarien has raised £454,822 before expenses (over USD$558,000) through a stock market placing as it continues its turnaround strategy.

Versarien said that net proceeds will be used for corporate and working capital purposes, together with providing bridge finance to extend the Company's cash runway ahead of any funds received from asset sales.

Versarien has announced the launch of a portfolio of graphene and related nanomaterial-based thermoplastic polymer compounds, branded under the name Polygrene. The Company says that the Polygrene line is the culmination of extensive collaborative efforts with the International Institute for Nanocomposites Manufacturing (IINM) at WMG, University of Warwick.

The new range has potential applications across a variety of industries, including sports equipment, construction products, aerospace and automotive components. This versatility showcases the adaptability and strength of the new graphene-infused materials.

Versarien has said it is making progress in line with its strategy as it cuts its cost base. The engineering materials company said it has reduced its cost base "significantly", with its loss before interest, tax, depreciation, amortization and exceptional items at a lower run rate than in the first half of the year. As a result, it said it has seen a reduction in cash burn.

Versarien said despite its reduced cost base, it is making progress in its strategy to license its technology, brands and manufacturing expertise, divest its non-core activities and Korean assets and strengthen its scientific teams.  Versarien said it would continue to preserve intellectual property within the group whilst reducing operating costs, as it seeks to become a “manufacturing light operation”.

Versarien has reported that its Spanish business has secured funding for a new project, in a boost to the group’s turnaround strategy. The Company said its majority-owned subsidiary, Gnanomat, has been awarded a grant of around €415,000 (around USD$445,660) by a government body.

Gnanomat will use the money to help develop and commercialize a new line of conductive inks based on Versarien's nanomaterials, for use in the production of electronic goods.

Researchers from the University of Surrey have developed a new thermo-active road solution that could help prevent potholes caused by freezing and thawing in the winter. A new project that will test this new approach has been awarded a £800,000 research fellowship from the Royal Academy of Engineering. The outcomes could improve how major roads across the United Kingdom are maintained and upgraded, even as climate change increases the challenge of keeping them fit for purpose.  

As part of this five-year research project, the Surrey team will work with advanced materials engineering company Versarien to develop a new graphene-enhanced microcapsule to dig into the soil beneath the surface when roads are resurfaced to improve heat conduction and storage.